Energy dispersive analysis by X-ray (EDAX)

In this method, a high energy beam of electron beam is collimated over the sample, which ejects the core orbital electrons from the elements present is the compound. Since the compound is electrically grounded, another secondary electron makes transition to this empty state emitting a characteristic x-ray. Then by identifying the wavelength of the characteristic x-ray, we can identify the elements present in the compound, and by analyzing the relative intensity of various characteristic wavelengths, we can determine the relative ratio of various elements present in the compound.