2.6.3 Total sample attenuation
In a sample containing n elements, the total sample mass attenuation coefficient is composed by the weight fraction (wi) contribution of all the elements.
The presence of absorption jumps makes the attenuation of x-rays strongly dependent on the composition of the sample. Therefore, samples having different macro-constituents would attenuate x-rays in a different way.
The following figures illustrate the sample attenuation coefficients for biological, soil and stainless steel samples, respectively.
