Abstract: A system includes first and second imaging assemblies, and a processor. The first imaging assembly is configured to produce a first image of a measurement site in a sample. The second imaging assembly is coupled with a measurement assembly and is configured to produce a second image of the measurement site. The processor is configured to: (i) perform, based on the first image, a first movement of the sample relative to the measurement assembly, (ii) perform, based on the second image, a second movement of the sample for aligning the sample with the measurement assembly, and (iii) control the measurement assembly to perform a measurement in the measurement site.

Abstract: A system for X-ray analysis, includes: (a) an X-ray analysis assembly configured to (i) direct an X-ray beam to impinge on a surface of a sample, and (ii) receive fluorescence radiation excited from the sample in response to the impinged X-ray beam, (b) a target assembly including measurement targets: placed in an optical path between the X-ray analysis assembly and the sample, and configured to move between (i) one or more first positions in which one or more of the measurement targets are positioned in the X-ray beam, and (ii) one or more second positions in which the optical path is unobstructed by the target assembly, and (c) a processor, configured to control movement of the target assembly between the first and second positions, for alternately, (i) monitoring properties of the X-ray beam using the measurement targets, and (ii) performing the X-ray analysis at a measurement site of the sample.

Abstract: A system for X-ray analysis, includes: (a) an X-ray analysis assembly configured to (i) direct an X-ray beam to impinge on a surface of a sample, and (ii) receive fluorescence radiation excited from the sample in response to the impinged X-ray beam, (b) a target assembly including measurement targets: placed in an optical path between the X-ray analysis assembly and the sample, and configured to move between (i) one or more first positions in which one or more of the measurement targets are positioned in the X-ray beam, and (ii) one or more second positions in which the optical path is unobstructed by the target assembly, and (c) a processor, configured to control movement of the target assembly between the first and second positions, for alternately, (i) monitoring properties of the X-ray beam using the measurement targets, and (ii) performing the X-ray analysis at a measurement site of the sample.

Abstract: A system includes first and second imaging assemblies, and a processor. The first imaging assembly is configured to produce a first image of a measurement site in a sample. The second imaging assembly is coupled with a measurement assembly and is configured to produce a second image of the measurement site. The processor is configured to: (i) perform, based on the first image, a first movement of the sample relative to the measurement assembly, (ii) perform, based on the second image, a second movement of the sample for aligning the sample with the measurement assembly, and (iii) control the measurement assembly to perform a measurement in the measurement site.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes a mount, an X-ray source, a detector, an optical gauge and a motor. The mount is configured to hold a planar sample having a first side, which is smooth, and a second side, which is opposite the first side and on which a pattern has been formed. The X-ray source is configured to direct a first beam of X-rays toward the first side of the sample. The detector is positioned on the second side of the sample so as to receive at least a part of the X-rays that have been transmitted through the sample and scattered from the pattern. The optical gauge is configured to direct a second beam of optical radiation toward the first side of the sample, to sense the optical radiation that is reflected from the first side of the sample, and to output a signal, in response to the sensed optical radiation, that is indicative of a position of the sample. The motor is configured to adjust an alignment between the detector and the sample in response to the signal.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes a mount, an X-ray source, a detector, an actuator, and a controller. The mount is configured to hold a sample. The X-ray source is configured to direct a beam of X-rays toward a first side of the sample. The detector is positioned on a second side of the sample, opposite the first side, so as to receive at least a portion of the X-rays that have been transmitted through the sample and to output signals indicative of an intensity of the received X-rays. The actuator is configured to scan the detector over a range of positions on the second side of the sample so as to measure the transmitted X-rays as a function of a scattering angle.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes a mount, an X-ray source, a detector, an optical gauge and a motor. The mount is configured to hold a planar sample having a first side, which is smooth, and a second side, which is opposite the first side and on which a pattern has been formed. The X-ray source is configured to direct a first beam of X-rays toward the first side of the sample. The detector is positioned on the second side of the sample so as to receive at least a part of the X-rays that have been transmitted through the sample and scattered from the pattern. The optical gauge is configured to direct a second beam of optical radiation toward the first side of the sample, to sense the optical radiation that is reflected from the first side of the sample, and to output a signal, in response to the sensed optical radiation, that is indicative of a position of the sample. The motor is configured to adjust an alignment between the detector and the sample in response to the signal.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes a mount, an X-ray source, a detector, an actuator, and a controller. The mount is configured to hold a sample. The X-ray source is configured to direct a beam of X-rays toward a first side of the sample. The detector is positioned on a second side of the sample, opposite the first side, so as to receive at least a portion of the X-rays that have been transmitted through the sample and to output signals indicative of an intensity of the received X-rays. The actuator is configured to scan the detector over a range of positions on the second side of the sample so as to measure the transmitted X-rays as a function of a scattering angle.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an X-ray tube, X-ray optics, one or more coils and control circuitry. The X-ray tube is configured to direct an electron beam onto an anode so as to emit an X-ray beam. The X-ray optics which configured to receive the X-ray beam emitted from the X-ray tube and to direct the X-ray beam onto a target. The coils are configured to steer the electron beam in the X-ray tube using electrical currents flowing through the coils. The control circuitry is configured to compensate for misalignment between the X-ray tube and the X-ray optics by analyzing the X-ray beam output by the X-ray optics, and setting the electrical currents based on the analyzed X-ray beam.

Abstract: A method includes directing an X-ray beam to be incident at a grazing angle on a location on a surface of the sample. An X-ray fluorescence excited at the location is measured. A reflection angle of the X-ray beam from the surface and a transmission angle of the X-ray beam are measured. An angle of incidence of the X-ray beam on the surface is evaluated using the measured reflection and transmission angles, and the measured X-ray fluorescence is analyzed using the evaluated angle of incidence.

Abstract: Light-emitting intra-cavity interferometric (ICI) optical sensors based on channel waveguide structures which include an internal light emitting material and a functionalized region. In some embodiments, the waveguides are made of a sol-gel which incorporates the light emitting material. In some embodiments, the waveguide structure includes an ICI resonator backbone and the ICI sensor is a laser sensor. In some embodiments, the resonator backbone has an interferometric Y-branch shape. In some embodiments, the resonator backbone has a Mach Zehnder interferometer shape. In some embodiments, an ICI laser sensor has an interferometric arrayed waveguide grating shape. In some embodiments, an ICI sensor may be remotely optically pumped and remotely read.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an X-ray tube, X-ray optics, one or more coils and control circuitry. The X-ray tube is configured to direct an electron beam onto an anode so as to emit an X-ray beam. The X-ray optics which configured to receive the X-ray beam emitted from the X-ray tube and to direct the X-ray beam onto a target. The coils are configured to steer the electron beam in the X-ray tube using electrical currents flowing through the coils. The control circuitry is configured to compensate for misalignment between the X-ray tube and the X-ray optics by analyzing the X-ray beam output by the X-ray optics, and setting the electrical currents based on the analyzed X-ray beam.

Abstract: A method includes directing an X-ray beam to be incident at a grazing angle on a location on a surface of the sample. An X-ray fluorescence excited at the location is measured. A reflection angle of the X-ray beam from the surface and a transmission angle of the X-ray beam are measured. An angle of incidence of the X-ray beam on the surface is evaluated using the measured reflection and transmission angles, and the measured X-ray fluorescence is analyzed using the evaluated angle of incidence.

Abstract: Light-emitting intra-cavity interferometric (ICI) optical sensors based on channel waveguide structures which include an internal light emitting material and a functionalized region. In some embodiments, the waveguides are made of a sol-gel which incorporates the light emitting material. In some embodiments, the waveguide structure includes an ICI resonator backbone and the ICI sensor is a laser sensor. In some embodiments, the resonator backbone has an interferometric Y-branch shape. In some embodiments, the resonator backbone has a Mach Zehnder interferometer shape. In some embodiments, an ICI laser sensor has an interferometric arrayed waveguide grating shape. In some embodiments, an ICI sensor may be remotely optically pumped and remotely read.

Abstract: Light-emitting intra-cavity interferometric (ICI) optical sensors based on channel waveguide structures which include an internal light emitting material and a functionalized region. In some embodiments, the waveguides are made of a sol-gel which incorporates the light emitting material. In some embodiments, the waveguide structure includes an ICI resonator backbone and the ICI sensor is a laser sensor. In some embodiments, the resonator backbone has an interferometric Y-branch shape. In some embodiments, the resonator backbone has a Mach Zehnder interferometer shape. In some embodiments, an ICI laser sensor has an interferometric arrayed waveguide grating shape. In some embodiments, an ICI sensor may be remotely optically pumped and remotely read.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample includes directing one or more beams of X-rays to impinge on an area of a surface of the sample on which a layer of nano-particles of a selected element has been formed. Secondary X-ray radiation from the area is detected responsively to the one or more beams. A distribution of the nano-particles on the surface is characterized based on the detected radiation.

Abstract: A method for X-ray analysis of a sample includes directing a beam of X-rays to impinge on a structure in the sample such that the X-rays are scattered from the structure in a pattern of stripes, and receiving the scattered X-rays using an array of detectors. A relative alignment between the sample and the array is adjusted so that the stripes are parallel to the detectors.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample includes directing one or more beams of X-rays to impinge on an area of a surface of the sample on which a layer of nano-particles of a selected element has been formed. Secondary X-ray radiation from the area is detected responsively to the one or more beams. A distribution of the nano-particles on the surface is characterized based on the detected radiation.

Abstract: A method for inspection of a sample includes irradiating the sample with a beam of X-rays and measuring a distribution of the X-rays that are emitted from the sample responsively to the beam, thereby generating an X-ray spectrum. An assessment is made of an effect on the spectrum of a non-uniformity of the beam, and the spectrum is corrected responsively to the effect.

Abstract: A biological or chemical optical sensing device comprises at least one planar micro-resonator structure included in a light emitting waveguide, and at least one biological or chemical probe bound to at least a part of the micro-resonator structure, the probe operative to bind specifically and selectively to a respective target substance, whereby the specific and selective binding results in a parameter change in light emitted from the waveguide. In one embodiment, the micro-resonator is linear. In some embodiments, the sensing device is active, the waveguide including at least one photoluminescent material operative to be remotely pumped by a remote optical source, and the parameter change, which may include a spectral change or a quality-factor change, may be remotely read by an optical reader.