Combined confocal X-ray fluorescence and X-ray computerised tomographic system and method
US9739729B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 6, 2013 |
| Grant date | Aug 22, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 6, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2223/419
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A correlative evaluation of a sample (104) using a combined x-ray computed tomography (CT) and x-ray fluorescence (XRF) system and the method for analyzing a sample (104) using x-ray CT and XRF is disclosed. The CT/XRF system (10) includes an x-ray CT subsystem (100) for acquisition of volume information and a confocal XRF subsystem (102) for characterization of elemental composition information. Geometrical calibration is carried out between the XRF subsystem (102) and the X-ray CT subsystem (100) such that a region of interest defined during X-ray CT acquisition can be retrieved by the XRF subsystem (102) for a subsequent XRF acquisition. The system (10) combines the sub-micrometer spatial resolution 3-D imaging capability of x-ray CT with the elemental composition analysis of confocal XRF to provide 3-D elemental composition analysis of a sample (104) with ppm level sensitivity. This is applicable to many scientific research and industrial applications, a prime example of which is the elemental identification of precious metal grains in crushed and ground ores and floatation tailings in the mining industry.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.