Abstract: The sample mounting system comprises a sample holder and a sample stage having a platform for supporting the sample holder. The sample can be fixed to the sample holder by a mount. The sample holder comprises a holder reference portion, which co-operates with a corresponding reference portion of the sample stage (the stage reference portion) to align the sample holder with the sample stage. When the sample holder is positioned on the platform such that the stage reference portion and the holder reference portion engage each other, the sample holder is aligned with the sample stage.

Abstract: An X-ray tube according to the present invention comprises an anode and a cathode comprising an emission portion for emitting an electron beam. The emission portion is configured to irradiate a target surface of the anode with electrons to cause the anode to emit X-rays. A window is arranged at an end of the X-ray tube, to allow X-rays to exit the X-ray tube. The target surface of the anode is inclined at an oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis passes through the end of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: A method of analysis of X-ray spectra in an instrument fits a measured sample spectrum using a combination of at least one measured reference spectrum with at least one calculated function. The method includes measuring a reference spectrum as a plurality of measured values for a plurality of energy bins from at least one reference sample; selecting a region or multiple regions of interest corresponding to a plurality of the energy bins and, for each region of interest, recording the profile for the respective plurality of energy bins from the measured reference spectrum. The method further comprises measuring a sample spectrum as a plurality of intensity values for a plurality of energy bins; and fitting the measured sample spectrum to a fit function, the fit funtion including the at least one profile in at least one respective region of interest of the measured spectrum as well as the at least one calculated function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-ray tube for X-ray analysis. The X-ray tube comprises an anode having a target surface and a cathode. The cathode comprises an emission loop. The emission loop extends around an axis that passes through the anode, and the cathode and the anode are spaced apart from one another along the axis. Electrons emitted from the cathode irradiate the target surface of the anode to produce X-rays. The X-ray tube further comprises an electron beam guide. The electron beam guide is configured to guide electrons emitted by the cathode, so as to irradiate an area of the anode. The irradiated area is enclosed by a single boundary.

Abstract: An X-ray analysis apparatus comprises an X-ray source configured to irradiate a sample with an incident X-ray beam. A first beam mask component is arranged between the X-ray source and the sample. The first beam mask component has a first opening for limiting the size of the incident X-ray beam. When the first beam mask component is in a first configuration, the first opening is arranged in the incident X-ray beam. The first beam mask component further comprises a second opening. When the first beam mask component is in a second configuration, the second opening is arranged in the incident X-ray beam. The second opening does not limit the size of the incident X-ray beam. A controller is configured to control a first beam mask component actuator to change the configuration of the first beam mask component between the first configuration and the second configuration by moving the first beam mask component in a plane intersected by the incident X-ray beam.

Abstract: The X-ray analysis apparatus of the present invention comprises a sample stage for supporting a sample, a goniometer having an axis of rotation, and an X-ray detector arranged to be rotatable about the axis of rotation of the goniometer, wherein the X-ray detector is arranged to receive X-rays from the sample directed along an X-ray beam path. The X-ray analysis apparatus further comprises a first collimator, a second collimator and a third collimator each having a first configuration and a second configuration. In its first configuration, the collimator is arranged in the X-ray beam path. In its second configuration the collimator is arranged outside of the X-ray beam path. A first actuator arrangement is configured to move the first collimator and the second collimator between the first configuration and the second configuration by moving the first collimator and the second collimator in a lateral direction that intersects the X-ray beam path.

Abstract: An X-ray analysis apparatus and method. The apparatus comprises an adjustable slit (210) between an X-ray source (4) and a sample (6); and optionally a further slit (220, 220a). A controller (17) is configured to control a width of the adjustable slit, between a first width, a larger second width, and an even larger third width. At the first and second widths: the adjustable slit (210) limits the divergence of the incident beam and thereby limits an area of the sample that is irradiated; and the further slit (220) does not limit the divergence of the incident beam. At the third width: the adjustable slit (210) does not limit the divergence of the incident beam, and the further slit (220) limits the divergence of the incident beam and thereby limits the area of the sample that is irradiated. Alternatively, at the third width, the adjustable slit (210) continues to limit the area irradiated.

Abstract: An X-ray diffraction apparatus for high resolution measurement combines the use of an X-ray source with a target having an atomic number Z less 50 with an energy resolving X-ray detector having an array of pixels and a beta radiation multilayer mirror for selecting the K-beta radiation from the X-ray source and for reflecting the K-beta radiation onto the sample where it is diffracted onto the energy resolving X-ray detector. The sample may in particular be in transmission. The sample may be a powder sample in a capillary.

Abstract: A method of making X-ray fluorescence, XRF, measurements of a layered sample is described. At least two measurements are made, one through one surface of the sample and another through the opposite surface. This may be conveniently done by inverting the sample between the measurements. The data from the additional measurements may be used to calculate multiple parameters of the sample, such as the concentration, density or thickness of each of the layers.

Abstract: A measurement head for making X-ray measurements on drilling fluid includes an inner pipe (30) having a outlet (32) and an outer pipe (34) around the inner pipe. Drilling fluid is pumped through the outlet refreshing the fluid at the outlet. The pump is then stopped. A height sensor (42) is then used to measuring the height of a meniscus of drilling fluid at the outlet (32). An X-ray head (50) including an X-ray source (52) and an X-ray detector (54) is then moved into a reproducible position above the meniscus of fluid above the outlet. The height sensor (42) may be fixed to a movable cover (40), to the X-ray head (50) or to some other part of the measurement head.

Abstract: A method of measuring properties of a thin film stack by GIXR divides the stack into sub-layers and represents the composition of each sub-layer by an number P. The numbers P represent the composition of each layer. For example, integers may represent pure material and fractional values represent mixtures of the adjacent pure materials. This representation is then used to fit to measured data and the best fit gives an indication of the material composition of each of the sub-layers and hence as a function of depth.

Abstract: X ray apparatus includes a sample stage (4) for supporting a sample (6), an X-ray source (2) and an energy dispersive X-ray detector (8). A conical X-ray collimator (10) is provided either between the sample and the X-ray source or between the sample and the energy-dispersive X-ray detector, the conical X-ray collimator including a plurality of truncated cones arranged concentrically around a central axis, the truncated cones having a common apex defining a central measurement spot on the sample.

Abstract: A sample holder 2 for holding a capillary 40 for X-ray analysis has a first thermal transport member 36 on the base portion 14 on one side of a longitudinal slit 12 and a second thermal transport member 38 on the base portion 16 on the other side. The thermal transport members 36, 38 are compressed between a frame 30 and the base portion 14, 16 in the transverse direction to urge the edges of the first and second thermal transport members together, to hold a capillary 40 longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal slit 12.

Abstract: Apparatus for computed tomography is described that is also suitable for X-ray diffraction. The computed tomography measurement uses a line focus 8 and passes the X-rays from the line focus through a perpendicular slit 22 and then through a sample onto a two dimensional detector. A plurality of images are taken, each with the sample rotated about a rotation axis 14 by a different amount, and combined to create a computed tomography image.

Abstract: X ray apparatus includes a sample stage (4) for supporting a sample (6), an X-ray source (2) and an energy dispersive X-ray detector (8). A conical X-ray collimator (10) is provided either between the sample and the X-ray source or between the sample and the energy-dispersive X-ray detector, the conical X-ray collimator including a plurality of truncated cones arranged concentrically around a central axis, the truncated cones having a common apex defining a central measurement spot on the sample.

Abstract: A method of of preparing samples for XRF using a flux and a platinum crucible includes forming the flux into a free-standing crucible liner. This may be achieved by mixing lithium borate particles with a liquid to form a paste; placing the lithium borate paste onto the inner surface of a mould; and after drying removing from the mould and firing the lithium borate paste to dry the lithium borate to form a free-standing crucible liner. The liner may be placed within a platinum crucible and then a sample placed in the liner. The temperature of the crucible is raised to a sufficient temperature that any oxidation reaction takes place before taking the temperature above the melting temperature of the flux to melt the crucible liner and dissolve the sample into the flux. The crucible can then be cooled and XRF measurements made on the sample.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an X-ray tube component, includes diffusion bonding or brazing an anode of rhodium, molybdenum or tungsten to a heat spreader of molybdenum, tungsten, or a composite of molybdenum and/or tungsten. Suitable joint materials for diffusion bonding include gold; suitable joint materials for brazing include an alloy of silver and copper, an alloy of silver, copper and palladium, an alloy of gold and copper or an alloy of gold, copper and nickel. The resulting tube component delivers reliable behaviors and the joint can withstand high temperatures, high temperature gradients, fast temperature changes, extremely high radiation and extremely high electric field, while maintaining good high vacuum properties.

Abstract: A method of X-ray analysis measures X-ray diffraction in transmission. In order to carry out quantitative measurements, a background measurement is taken slightly away from the diffraction peak and the ratio of measured intensities used to correct for variations in sample composition.

Abstract: Quantitative X-ray analysis is carried out by making X-ray fluorescence measurements to determine the elemental composition of a sample and a correction measurement by measuring the transmitted intensity of X-rays at an energy E transmitted directly through the sample without deviation. An X-ray diffraction measurement is made in transmission by directing X-rays from an X-ray source at the energy E onto a sample at an incident angle ?1 to the surface of the sample and measuring a measured intensity Id(?fl) of the diffracted X-rays at the energy E with an X-ray detector at an exit angle ?2 corresponding to an X-ray diffraction peak of a predetermined component. A matrix corrected X-ray intensity is obtained using the measured X-ray intensity in the X-ray diffraction measurement, the correction measurement and the mass attenuation coefficient of the sample calculated from the elemental composition and the mass attenuation coefficients of the elements.

Abstract: Apparatus includes an X-ray source 10, a wavelength dispersive X-ray detector for measuring X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and an energy dispersive X-ray detector 14 again for measuring X-ray fluorescence. Selected elements are measured using the wavelength dispersive process to reduce the overall measurement time compared with using only one of the two detectors or compared to a simple approach of measuring low atomic number elements with the wavelength dispersive detector and high atomic number elements with the energy dispersive detector. The selection can take place dynamically, in particular on the basis of the results of the energy-dispersive detector.