The 2000 IAEA intercomparison of PIXE spectrum analysis software

Seven programs for analysis of PIXE spectra were compared using the 2000 IAEA test spectra, i.e. Geopixe, Gupix, Pixan, Pixeklm, Sapix, Winaxil and Witshex. A systematic statistical study of the analysis results was performed based on z-scores. The results indicate that most of the programs perform reasonably well with respect to peak areas. Except for a very rare exception, the statistical analysis shows that the participants generally reported smaller uncertainties than would have been expected from the reference uncertainty values. The results show that all the participants reported a number of statistically significant "false hits" and "misses" in their reports. All this indicates that programs in general still leave room for further improvements. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.