PIQUANT X-ray Fluorescence Quantification Software(NPO-50887-1)

Calibration work is underway to enhance the elemental quantification capabilities of the prototype Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry (PIXL) on Mars 2020. This work is intended ultimately to benefit scientists analyzing PIXL data derived from the eventual flight instrument. Quantification of X-ray data is made possible using PIQUANT, the in-house fundamental parameters (FP) approach software constructed for this application.Several of the X-ray FP databases, utilized by PIQUANT, will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on the accuracy of parameters found in mass attenuation coefficient, fluorescence yield and line intensity databases used in quantifying geological elemental constituents. The choice of databases and values used derive from both recent experimental work and initiatives defined by fundamental parameter groups. These considerations have influenced recent upgrades made to PIQUANT. The quantification and fitting capabilities of PIQUANT in light of the upgrades will be presented. In this we display PIQUANTs ability to reproduce certificate values of glass and powder silicate standards.