A general Monte Carlo simulation of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometers — Part 5

Schoonjans, Tom; Vincze, László; Solé, V. A.; Río, Manuel Sánchez del; Brondeel, Philip; Silversmit, Geert; Appel, Karen; Ferrero, C.

doi:10.1016/j.sab.2012.03.011

Cited by 93 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 21 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…These efforts require further development and optimization of the existing experimental setup, especially in terms of maximizing the production/detection of gold XRF photons under the given physical limitations. While it could be done entirely by an experimental approach, Monte Carlo (MC) methods are particularly well suited for spectroscopic XRF imaging, 12 capable of producing accurate results even with polychromatic x-ray spectra and heterogeneous geometries, 13 and would be useful for streamlining further optimization efforts. For example, a well-validated MC model of our experimental XFCT setup would enable proper tailoring (or quasimonochromatization) of the incident polychromatic x-ray spectrum (one of the major challenges associated with benchtop XFCT) in a much more efficient manner.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving x‐ray fluorescence signal for benchtop polychromatic cone‐beam x‐ray fluorescence computed tomography by incident x‐ray spectrum optimization: A Monte Carlo study

2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose: To develop an accurate and comprehensive Monte Carlo (MC) model of an experimental benchtop polychromatic cone-beam x-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) setup and apply this MC model to optimize incident x-ray spectrum for improving production/detection of x-ray fluorescence photons from gold nanoparticles (GNPs). Methods: A detailed MC model, based on an experimental XFCT system, was created using the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) transport code. The model was validated by comparing MC results including x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scatter photon spectra with measured data obtained under identical conditions using 105 kVp cone-beam x-rays filtered by either 1 mm of lead (Pb) or 0.9 mm of tin (Sn). After validation, the model was used to investigate the effects of additional filtration of the incident beam with Pb and Sn. Supplementary incident x-ray spectra, representing heavier filtration (Pb: 2 and 3 mm; Sn: 1, 2, and 3 mm) were computationally generated and used with the model to obtain XRF/scatter spectra. Quasimonochromatic incident x-ray spectra (81, 85, 90, 95, and 100 keV with 10 keV full width at half maximum) were also investigated to determine the ideal energy for distinguishing gold XRF signal from the scatter background. Fluorescence signal-to-dose ratio (FSDR) and fluorescence-normalized scan time (FNST) were used as metrics to assess results. Results: Calculated XRF/scatter spectra for 1-mm Pb and 0.9-mm Sn filters matched (r ≥ 0.996) experimental measurements. Calculated spectra representing additional filtration for both filter materials showed that the spectral hardening improved the FSDR at the expense of requiring a much longer FNST. In general, using Sn instead of Pb, at a given filter thickness, allowed an increase of up to 20% in FSDR, more prominent gold XRF peaks, and up to an order of magnitude decrease in FNST. Simulations using quasimonochromatic spectra suggested that increasing source x-ray energy, in the investigated range of 81-100 keV, increased the FSDR up to a factor of 20, compared to 1 mm Pb, and further facilitated separation of gold XRF peaks from the scatter background. Conclusions: A detailed MC model of an experimental benchtop XFCT system has been developed and validated. In exemplary calculations to illustrate the usefulness of this model, it was shown that potential use of quasimonochromatic spectra or judicious choice of filter material/thickness to tailor the spectrum of a polychromatic x-ray source can significantly improve the performance of benchtop XFCT, while considering trade-offs between FSDR and FNST. As demonstrated, the current MC model is a reliable and powerful computational tool that can greatly expedite the further development of a benchtop XFCT system for routine preclinical molecular imaging with GNPs and other metal probes. C

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving x‐ray fluorescence signal for benchtop polychromatic cone‐beam x‐ray fluorescence computed tomography by incident x‐ray spectrum optimization: A Monte Carlo study

2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…16 This approach allows to speed up the number of photons detected producing a realistic simulation of the measured spectrum in a couple of minutes. Among the available MC codes, [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] XMI-SIMS and XRMC are two fast MC algorithms developed with the aim to predict the spectral response of ED-XRF spectrometers using MC simulations. [25][26] In this paper we use the XRMC software package.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Monte Carlo Simulation as a Tool for the Nondestructive Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) Spectroscopy Analysis of Archaeological Copper-Based Artifacts from the Chalcolithic Site of Perdigões, Southern Portugal

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This time is comparable to the experimental acquisition time and therefore the simulation can be regarded as being performed in real time. Two of such fast and specialized MC codes are readily available [27][28][29][30][31][32]. The first one was developed specifically for XRF experiments, while the second one can be also used to simulate radiographic, CT and phase contrast simulations.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry and Monte Carlo simulation study of Iron-Age Nuragic small bronzes (“Navicelle”) from Sardinia, Italy

Schiavon

Palmas

Bulla

et al. 2016

Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A spectrometric protocol combining Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry with Monte Carlo simulations of experimental spectra using the XRMC code package has been applied for the first time to characterize the elemental composition of a series of famous Iron Age small scale archaeological bronze replicas of ships (known as the "Navicelle") from the Nuragic civilization in Sardinia, Italy. The proposed protocol is a useful, nondestructive and fast analytical tool for Cultural Heritage sample. In Monte Carlo simulations, each sample was modeled as a multilayered object composed by two or three layers depending on the sample: when all present, the three layers are the original bronze substrate, the surface corrosion patina and an outermost protective layer (Paraloid) applied during past restorations. Monte Carlo simulations were able to account for the presence of the patina/corrosion layer as well as the presence of the Paraloid protective layer. It also accounted for the roughness effect commonly found at the surface of corroded metal archaeological artifacts. In this respect, the Monte Carlo simulation approach adopted here was, to the best of our knowledge, unique and enabled to determine the bronze alloy composition together with the thickness of the surface layers without the need for previously removing the surface patinas, a process potentially threatening preservation of precious archaeological/artistic artifacts for future generations.

show abstract

A general Monte Carlo simulation of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometers — Part 5

Cited by 93 publications

References 21 publications

Improving x‐ray fluorescence signal for benchtop polychromatic cone‐beam x‐ray fluorescence computed tomography by incident x‐ray spectrum optimization: A Monte Carlo study

Improving x‐ray fluorescence signal for benchtop polychromatic cone‐beam x‐ray fluorescence computed tomography by incident x‐ray spectrum optimization: A Monte Carlo study

Use of Monte Carlo Simulation as a Tool for the Nondestructive Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) Spectroscopy Analysis of Archaeological Copper-Based Artifacts from the Chalcolithic Site of Perdigões, Southern Portugal

An Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry and Monte Carlo simulation study of Iron-Age Nuragic small bronzes (“Navicelle”) from Sardinia, Italy

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About