Patent · US Expired

X-ray fluorescence apparatus

US6711234B1 · kind B1 · utility

44Cited by
0References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 16, 2002
Grant dateMar 23, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 16, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N2223/076
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

This invention relates to a portable apparatus for carrying out X-ray fluorescence spectrometry on specimen materials at a distance from the apparatus. The apparatus comprises an X-ray generating tube, such as a microfocus tube, and two paraboloidal X-ray reflecting mirrors. The first collecting mirror is positioned in close coupled arrangement adjacent to the exit window of the tube, such that it emits parallel X-ray radiation to the second focusing mirror, which is aligned on the axis of and spaced apart from the first mirror (11). The second mirror (12) collects the parallel X-ray radiation at its end closest to the first mirror and emits X-ray radiation in a focused beam onto the specimen. The distance between the first and second mirrors is adjusted to suit the distance from the X-ray tube to the specimen. Focal spots on the specimen of diameter less than 15 microns (590.55 microinches) are possible, enabling precise analysis of small areas of the specimen.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.