Correct identification of peaks present in an EDS spectrum is the first and most crucial step in the analysis of any  sample. From this qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis and X-ray maps are produced. If the qualitative analysis is incorrect, both the quantitative analysis and X-ray maps will be incorrect or incomplete.

EDS manufacturers have toiled many years in perfecting their peak identification routines. Thermo prides itself on having the best peak identification routines of any EDS manufacturer. But how can you as an operator confirm the quality of the automatic peak identification routine? Or, how can you manually identify an unlabelled peak with the highest confidence?

NORAN System 7 analysis software provides SpectraCheck to assist the user in obtaining the best qualitative results. SpectraCheck is an easy method to verify automatic qualitative analysis or manual peak identification of EDS spectra. There is both a numerical statistical check and numerous graphical checks.