4.3 Spectrum continuum

The measured spectrum will also contain the photons resulting from other interactions of the excitation radiation with the sample matrix. Charged particles will decelerate in the sample and originate breaking radiation (Bremsstrahlung), whereas gamma or x-ray photons will undergo Rayleigh and Compton scattering. The shape of the continuum in EDXRF depends on the excitation conditions and on the sample composition, and can be very complex.

The figures below depict the differences in continuum background for spectra measured with Si(Li) detectors under three different excitation conditions.