Coefficient for an element by which the measured intensity for that element is divided to yield the atomic concentration or atomic fraction of the element present in the sample.
Notes: - The choice of atomic concentration or atomic fraction should be made clear.
- The type of sensitivity factor utilized should be appropriate for the formulae used in the quantification process and for the type of sample analysed, e.g. for homogeneous samples or segregated layers.
- The source of sensitivity factors should be given to ensure that the correct matrix factors or other parameters are used.
- Sensitivity factors depend on parameters of the excitation source, the spectrometer, and the orientation of the sample to these parts of the instrument. Sensitivity factors also depend on the matrix being analysed. Sensitivity factors also depend on the matrix being analysed. In secondary ion mass spectrometry this has a dominating influence.
Source:
PAC, 2020, 92, 1781. 'Glossary of methods and terms used in surface chemical analysis (IUPAC Recommendations 2020)' on page 1796 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2019-0404)