RE: Telfers Long Lost "Big Sister" just for fun.10 Sep 2025 22:19
πΉ Copper (Cu, Z=29)
β
Easily detectable by XRF (no problem, even with handheld units).
Strong KΞ± and KΞ² fluorescence lines around 8 keV, well within XRF detector range.
Detection limits: often 10β50 ppm in favorable matrices.
Commonly analyzed in ores, alloys, and electronics.
πΉ Gold (Au, Z=79)
β
Easily detectable by XRF (excellent response).
Strong L-series lines around 10β14 keV.
Detection limits: often 1β5 ppm in lab-grade systems, higher (~tens of ppm) in handhelds.
Widely used in XRF for bullion, jewelry, and ore assay because of its clean, distinct peaks.
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π So both gold and copper are very well detectable with XRF β unlike lithium and beryllium, which XRF cannot see at all.