running the check sample on the Tracer SD-III without a PDA
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Vanessa Muros
Mar 6, 2026, 11:49:04 AMMar 6
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Hi everyone,
I wanted to do some ceramics analysis using the Mudrock calibration files on aTracer SD-III (T3S2684). The unit hasn't been used in several years and thought maybe I should analyze the check sample to make sure it's still working ok. Only one check sample came with the instrument, the Duplex 2205 and there isn't one to specifically check the Mudrock calibration.
Based on the recommended settings in the check sample report it looks to me like I need to use the PDA for this. It says to use Analysis Type: "Emp"", Method; "Standard Alloy". The problem is we do not have a PDA for the unit. We have the duplex and a flash card that I assume we would use for the PDA, but no PDA.
I tried to see if I could use another calibration file that came with the instrument to run the Duplex 2205. I tested the Ti calibration file (Ti1.cfz and Ti2.cfz) but the numbers were off. Don't know if that's because it wasn't the correct file to use or it's a problem with the instrument. Is there another calibration file I could use for the Duplex 2205?
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
best,
Vanessa
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Vanessa Muros, PhD
Archaeological Conservator & Director,
Experimental and Archaeological Sciences Lab (EASL)
The Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). As a land grant institution, we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.
Alexander Seyfarth Mineralogical Analysis
Mar 7, 2026, 3:00:50 PMMar 7
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Hi!
You will not have the STEEL alloy cal file used for the 2205 for offline quantification.
Look the spectra and check the peak positions for the lines to see if the gain is ok.
Check the examination window and vacuum value (if used)
Once that is done use a pellet (without binder) of a clay/ceramic material with known values or a previously analyzed sample and compare. you might have to create a correction coefficient .
Hope this helps
Alexander
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Vanessa Muros
Mar 8, 2026, 9:06:36 PMMar 8
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hi Alexander,
Thanks for that info. Unfortunately we don't have pellets to test. We did try a powdered clay standard someone had (SRM 679) but the data we got on the trace elements was not very good. I wasn't sure if it was due to an issue with the instrument or if that standard wasn't the best one to choose to test the mudrock calibration. This is what made me think of checking the instrument using the Duplex.
best,
Vanessa
---
Vanessa Muros, PhD
Archaeological Conservator & Director,
Experimental and Archaeological Sciences Lab (EASL)
The Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). As a land grant institution, we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pxrf/C890EB6C-410B-44F6-A515-6B3EA9AB8892%40gmail.com.
Alexander Seyfarth Mineralogical Analysis
Mar 12, 2026, 1:42:52 PMMar 12
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Missed this message
If you have any other previously measured sample or ideally the mud rock check sample block, you could compare the spectra, assuming you have measured them with the same time to see what changed on the unit
Otherwise, running a powder on a pallet calibration is not good so you would need to compact the sample with a press
If you have no other sample other than the duplex, you could measure it with the same conditions and compare the spectrum to a previously measured assay of the sample in case you have that
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pxrf/CAMYeYiSNKOS4JbHCsNj%2BgeXQ-n4Q%3DESomMuSTvW-yCgVu5nFHA%40mail.gmail.com.
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