2.5 Data normalization
MATLAB 2015a software was used to develop a curve fitting program [BXFA – Batch
X-ray Fluorescence Analysis] for batch analyzing of the data obtained from VESPERS beamline.
The dead-time corrected spectrum data was read into BXFA together with another master
experimental data file from the same sample. BXFA used a cubic spline to remove the
continuous scattering background from incident beam. The areas under the peaks were
determined by integration using the trapezoidal integration function trapz. The data was
normalized by using the ion chamber reading from the master data file. The output data of the
normalized peak intensity is stored as a tab delimited file which can be read by statistical
analysis packages.