Soft X-ray fluorescence from particulate media: Numerical simulations

We introduce a Monte Carlo ray tracing code for soft X-ray fluorescence in particulate media. We use the code to investigate the observation geometry dependent effects on absolute fluorescence line intensities and relative line ratios due to the medium porosity, incident spectrum, and particle size distribution. In particular, we assess the differences between the results given by the simulations and by the analytical fundamental parameters equation of X-ray fluorescence.

► We simulate soft X-ray fluorescence from complex particulate media. ► We study the regolith effects on fluorescence line ratios over the whole hemisphere. ► We conclude that the regolith effects should be taken into account in geochemical inversion of remote soft X-ray observations.