Utilizing X-ray Fluorescence to Measure Increases in Iron Concentrations of Methamphetamine Doped Mice Spleens

Abstract

In this experiment we are investigating the use of x-ray fluorescence to determine the iron content present in the spleens of methamphetamine doped mice compared to that of a control spleen. The x-ray system used utilizes a rhodium source coupled with a DCC optic, and a solid state Silicon detector to give characteristic peaks of iron, proportional in counts to the amount of iron present. Although other methods exist for finding iron concentrations in the spleens, XRF serves as a relatively low cost, non-destructive, and efficient method for finding the concentration.