Non-destructive surface characterization of float glass: X-ray reflectivity and grazing incidence X-ray fluorescence analysis

Abstract In the present study we have carried out non-destructive surface characterization of a float glass using total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) technique and X-ray reflectivity (XRR). The in-depth distribution of Sn and Fe impurities has been determined by TXRF where as X-ray optical properties such as r.m.s surface roughness, refractive index, etc., have been derived by XRR. The results obtained so are used in analyzing the soft X-ray optical constants in the wavelength region of 80–200 A. The results obtained indicate that two surfaces of float glass differ significantly.