Abstract: An x-ray analysis apparatus for illuminating a sample spot with an x-ray beam. An x-ray tube is provided having a source spot from which a diverging x-ray beam is produced having a characteristic first energy, and bremsstrahlung energy; a first x-ray optic receives the diverging x-ray beam and directs the beam toward the sample spot, while monochromating the beam; and a second x-ray optic receives the diverging x-ray beam and directs the beam toward the sample spot, while monochromating the beam to a second energy. The first x-ray optic may monochromate characteristic energy from the source spot, and the second x-ray optic may monochromate bremsstrahlung energy from the source spot. The x-ray optics may be curved diffracting optics, for receiving the diverging x-ray beam from the x-ray tube and focusing the beam at the sample spot. Detection is also provided to detect and measure various toxins in, e.g., manufactured products including toys and electronics.

Abstract: An x-ray fluorescence technique for determining a valence state of a sample. An x-ray excitation path is provided for exciting a sample with x-rays; and an x-ray detection path is provided for detecting fluorescence emitted from the sample, and focusing the emitted fluorescence to a focal spot. The detection path may include a monochromating detection optic for focusing the fluorescence; and also may include a detector on which the focal spot is focused. The precise positions of the focal spot are sensed, from which valence states of the sample can be determined; and/or the detection optic can be rocked across certain angles of incidence, to change the Bragg conditions, thereby sensing different valence states within the sample.

Abstract: An x-ray diffraction apparatus for measuring crystal orientation of a multiple grain sample. An x-ray excitation path is provided having a focusing optic for collecting x-rays from an x-ray source and redirecting the collected x-rays into an x-ray beam converging on a single grain of the multiple grain sample. At least one point detector and the sample are rotated relative to each other; and a grain orientation is obtained based upon diffraction patterns collected from first and second grain crystal planes within the apparatus.

Abstract: A sample cell insertion and removal apparatus for an analysis instrument, including a horizontally sliding frame; a sample cell carriage movably mounted to the sliding frame, the sample cell carriage including an area to hold a sample cell; wherein upon sliding into and out of the instrument, the sample cell carriage is moved horizontally and vertically into and out of an analysis position. This instrument may include a radiation shielded enclosure into and out of which the apparatus slides, and an x-ray analysis engine which transmits x-rays upwards towards the sample cell which projects from a bottom of the apparatus. The disclosed sample cell is especially suited for an x-ray analysis engine having a focal spot requiring alignment with the sample in the sample cell.

Abstract: A diffracting x-ray optic for accepting and redirecting x-rays. The optic includes at least two layers, the layers having a similar or differing material composition and similar or differing crystalline orientation. Each of the layers exhibits a diffractive effect, and their collective effect provides a diffractive effect on the received x-rays. In one embodiment, the layers are silicon, and are bonded together using a silicon-on-insulator bonding technique. In another embodiment, an adhesive bonding technique may be used. The optic may be a curved, monochromating optic.

Abstract: A shielded sample cell insertion and removal apparatus for an x-ray analysis instrument, including a sample cell setting to hold a sample cell, an outer surface of which exposes the sample to an x-ray engine; and a shielded area positioned over the sample cell, to shield an area beyond the sample cell from x-rays transmitted from the x-ray engine. Upon moving the apparatus into and out of the instrument, the sample cell is moved into and out of an analysis position, while retaining shielding of areas beyond the sample cell from x-rays transmitted from the x-ray engine of the instrument.

Abstract: An x-ray analysis apparatus for illuminating a sample spot with an x-ray beam. An x-ray tube is provided having a source spot from which a diverging x-ray beam is produced, the source spot requiring alignment along a transmission axis passing through the sample spot. A first housing section is provided, to which the x-ray tube is attached, including mounting features for adjustably mounting the x-ray tube therein such that the source spot coincides with the transmission axis. A second housing section includes a second axis coinciding with the transmission axis; and at least one x-ray optic attached to the second housing section for receiving the diverging x-ray beam and directing the beam toward the sample spot. Complimentary mating surfaces may be provided to align the first and second sections, and the optics, to the transmission axis. A third housing section may also be provided, including an aperture through which the x-ray beam passes, and to which a detector may be attached.

Abstract: A sample cell for an analysis instrument, having an outer body forming a sample reservoir therein; a directional fill valve disposed in an upper end of the outer body and forming an upper end of the sample reservoir, the fill valve for accepting a sample during filling, and preventing sample leakage while providing venting after filling; and a film covering a lower end of the outer body, and forming a bottom end of the sample reservoir, the film for presenting the sample to an analysis focal spot of the analysis instrument. The disclosed sample cell is especially suited for an x-ray analysis engine having a focal spot requiring alignment with the sample in the sample cell. At least one x-ray optic may be disposed in an excitation and/or detection path, requiring alignment to the focal spot, in e.g., a WDXRF or EDXRF system.

Abstract: An x-ray diffraction measurement apparatus for measuring a sample, having an x-ray source and detector coupled together in a combination for coordinated rotation around the sample, such that x-ray diffraction data can be taken at multiple phi angles. The apparatus may provide a pole figure representation of crystal orientation of the sample, wherein the pole figure represents the crystal alignment, and a full width half maximum value is calculated from the pole figure for crystal alignment quantification. Data may be taken at discrete positions along a length of the sample, and the sample is in a fixed position during measuring; or data may be taken continuously along a length of the article, as the sample continuously moves along its length in a movement path between the source and detector. The sample may be in the form of a tape, linearly passing through a measurement zone.

Abstract: An x-ray fluorescence technique for determining a valence state of a sample. An x-ray excitation path is provided for exciting a sample with x-rays; and an x-ray detection path is provided for detecting fluorescence emitted from the sample, and focusing the emitted fluorescence to a focal spot. The detection path may include a monochromating detection optic for focusing the fluorescence; and also may include a detector on which the focal spot is focused. The precise positions of the focal spot are sensed, from which valence states of the sample can be determined; and/or the detection optic can be rocked across certain angles of incidence, to change the Bragg conditions, thereby sensing different valence states within the sample.

Abstract: An x-ray analysis apparatus for illuminating a sample spot with an x-ray beam. An x-ray tube is provided having a source spot from which a diverging x-ray beam is produced, the source spot requiring alignment along a transmission axis passing through the sample spot. A first housing section is provided, to which the x-ray tube is attached, including mounting features for adjustably mounting the x-ray tube therein such that the source spot coincides with the transmission axis. A second housing section includes a second axis coinciding with the transmission axis; and at least one x-ray optic attached to the second housing section for receiving the diverging x-ray beam and directing the beam toward the sample spot. Complimentary mating surfaces may be provided to align the first and second sections, and the optics, to the transmission axis. A third housing section may also be provided, including an aperture through which the x-ray beam passes, and to which a detector may be attached.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging system includes an optical device having at least one point-focusing, curved monochromating optic for directing x-rays from an x-ray source towards a focal point. The at least one point-focusing, curved monochromating optic provides a focused monochromatic x-ray beam directed towards the focal point, and a detector is aligned with the focused monochromatic x-ray beam. The optical device facilitates x-ray imaging of an object when the object is located between the optical device and the detector within the focused monochromatic x-ray beam. In various embodiments: each point-focusing, curved monochromatic optic has an optical surface that is doubly-curved; the optical device facilitates passive image demagnification or magnification depending upon placement of the object and detector relative to the focal point; and at least one second point-focusing, curved monochromatic optic can be employed to facilitate refractive index or polarized beam imaging of the object.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging system includes an optical device having at least one point-focusing, curved monochromating optic for directing x-rays from an x-ray source towards a focal point. The at least one point-focusing, curved monochromating optic provides a focused monochromatic x-ray beam directed towards the focal point, and a detector is aligned with the focused monochromatic x-ray beam. The optical device facilitates x-ray imaging of an object when the object is located between the optical device and the detector within the focused monochromatic x-ray beam. In various embodiments: each point-focusing, curved monochromatic optic has an optical surface that is doubly-curved; the optical device facilitates passive image demagnification or magnification depending upon placement of the object and detector relative to the focal point; and at least one second point-focusing, curved monochromatic optic can be employed to facilitate refractive index or polarized beam imaging of the object.

Abstract: An x-ray analysis system with an x-ray source for producing an x-ray excitation beam directed toward an x-ray analysis focal area; and a sample chamber for presenting a fluid sample to the x-ray analysis focal area. The x-ray excitation beam is generated by an x-ray engine and passes through an x-ray transparent barrier on a wall of the chamber, to define an analysis focal area within space defined by the chamber. The fluid sample is presented as a stream suspended in the space and streaming through the focal area, using a laminar air flow and/or pressure to define the stream. The chamber's barrier is therefore separated from both the focal area and the sample, resulting in lower corruption of the barrier.

Abstract: An x-ray system or method for exciting a sample under x-ray analysis, using a curved monochromating optic for directing a monochromatic x-ray beam from an x-ray source towards a first focal area. A second optic is positioned within, and receives, the monochromatic x-ray beam, and directs a focused x-ray beam towards a second focal area on the sample. A detector is positioned near the sample to collect radiation from the sample as a result of the focused x-ray beam. The curved monochromating optic produces a beam spot size at the first focal area larger than a beam spot size produced by the second optic at the second focal area, therefore, a beam spot size on the sample is thereby reduced using the second optic. Doubly-curved monochromating optics, and polycapillary optics, are disclosed as possible implementations of the optics.

Abstract: A sample cell for an analysis instrument, having an outer body forming a sample reservoir therein; a directional fill valve disposed in an upper end of the outer body and forming an upper end of the sample reservoir, the fill valve for accepting a sample during filling, and preventing sample leakage while providing venting after filling; and a film covering a lower end of the outer body, and forming a bottom end of the sample reservoir, the film for presenting the sample to an analysis focal spot of the analysis instrument. The disclosed sample cell is especially suited for an x-ray analysis engine having a focal spot requiring alignment with the sample in the sample cell. At least one x-ray optic may be disposed in an excitation and/or detection path, requiring alignment to the focal spot, in e.g., a WDXRF or EDXRF system.

Abstract: A sample cell insertion and removal apparatus for an analysis instrument, including a horizontally sliding frame; a sample cell carriage movably mounted to the sliding frame, the sample cell carriage including an area to hold a sample cell; wherein upon sliding into and out of the instrument, the sample cell carriage is moved horizontally and vertically into and out of an analysis position. This instrument may include a radiation shielded enclosure into and out of which the apparatus slides, and an x-ray analysis engine which transmits x-rays upwards towards the sample cell which projects from a bottom of the apparatus. The disclosed sample cell is especially suited for an x-ray analysis engine having a focal spot requiring alignment with the sample in the sample cell.

Abstract: A shielded sample cell insertion and removal apparatus for an x-ray analysis instrument, including a sample cell setting to hold a sample cell, an outer surface of which exposes the sample to an x-ray engine; and a shielded area positioned over the sample cell, to shield an area beyond the sample cell from x-rays transmitted from the x-ray engine. Upon moving the apparatus into and out of the instrument, the sample cell is moved into and out of an analysis position, while retaining shielding of areas beyond the sample cell from x-rays transmitted from the x-ray engine of the instrument.

Abstract: A method and device for cooling and electrically-insulating a high-voltage, heat-generating component, for example, an x-ray tube (1105) for analyzing fluids by means of x-ray fluorescence. The device includes an x-ray source (1100) including an x-ray tube (1105) having improved heat-dissipating properties due to the thermal coupling of the x-ray tube with a thermally-conductive, dielectric material (1150). The device may include a base assembly (1135) mounted to the component for conducting heat away from the component while electrically isolating the component. In one aspect of the invention, the base assembly includes two copper plates (1140, 1145) separated by a dielectric plate (1150). The dielectric plate minimizes or prevents the leakage of current through the base assembly (1135). One aspect of the disclosed invention is most amenable to the analysis of sulfur in petroleum-based fuels.