Abstract: A spectrometer includes a crystal analyzer having a radius of curvature that defines a Rowland circle, a sample stage configured to support a sample such that the sample is offset from the Rowland circle, x-ray source configured to emit unfocused x-rays toward the sample stage, and a position-sensitive detector that is tangent to the Rowland circle. A method performed via a spectrometer includes emitting, via an x-ray source, unfocused x-rays toward a sample that is mounted on a sample stage such that the sample is offset from the Rowland Circle, thereby causing the sample to emit x-rays that impinge on the crystal analyzer or transmit a portion of the unfocused x-rays to impinge on the crystal analyzer; scattering, via the crystal analyzer, the x-rays that impinge on the crystal analyzer; and detecting the scattered x-rays via a position-sensitive detector that is tangent to the Rowland circle.

Abstract: A spectrometer includes a crystal analyzer having a radius of curvature that defines a Rowland circle, a sample stage configured to support a sample such that the sample is offset from the Rowland circle, x-ray source configured to emit unfocused x-rays toward the sample stage, and a position-sensitive detector that is tangent to the Rowland circle. A method performed via a spectrometer includes emitting, via an x-ray source, unfocused x-rays toward a sample that is mounted on a sample stage such that the sample is offset from the Rowland Circle, thereby causing the sample to emit x-rays that impinge on the crystal analyzer or transmit a portion of the unfocused x-rays to impinge on the crystal analyzer; scattering, via the crystal analyzer, the x-rays that impinge on the crystal analyzer; and detecting the scattered x-rays via a position-sensitive detector that is tangent to the Rowland circle.

Abstract: A spectrometer includes a crystal analyzer having a radius of curvature that defines a Rowland circle, a sample stage configured to support a sample such that the sample is offset from the Rowland circle, an x-ray source configured to emit unfocused x-rays toward the sample stage, and a position-sensitive detector that is tangent to the Rowland circle. A method performed via a spectrometer includes emitting, via an x-ray source, unfocused x-rays toward a sample that is mounted on a sample stage such that the sample is offset from the Rowland Circle, thereby causing the sample to emit x-rays that impinge on the crystal analyzer or transmit a portion of the unfocused x-rays to impinge on the crystal analyzer; scattering, via the crystal analyzer, the x-rays that impinge on the crystal analyzer; and detecting the scattered x-rays via a position-sensitive detector that is tangent to the Rowland circle.

Abstract: An example method for aligning a spectrometer is described herein. The spectrometer includes a radiation source, a crystal analyzer, and a detector that are all positioned on an instrument plane. The method includes rotating the crystal analyzer about an axis that is within the instrument plane and perpendicular to a rotation plane such that (i) a reciprocal lattice vector of the crystal analyzer is within the instrument plane or (ii) a component of the reciprocal lattice vector within the rotation plane is perpendicular to the instrument plane. An origin of the reciprocal lattice vector is located on the axis. The method further includes tilting the crystal analyzer or translating the detector such that the reciprocal lattice vector bisects a line segment that is bounded by the detector and the radiation source. Example spectrometers related to the example method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A spectrometer includes a crystal analyzer having a radius of curvature that defines a Rowland circle, a sample stage configured to support a sample such that the sample is offset from the Rowland circle, an x-ray source configured to emit unfocused x-rays toward the sample stage, and a position-sensitive detector that is tangent to the Rowland circle. A method performed via a spectrometer includes emitting, via an x-ray source, unfocused x-rays toward a sample that is mounted on a sample stage such that the sample is offset from the Rowland Circle, thereby causing the sample to emit x-rays that impinge on the crystal analyzer or transmit a portion of the unfocused x-rays to impinge on the crystal analyzer; scattering, via the crystal analyzer, the x-rays that impinge on the crystal analyzer; and detecting the scattered x-rays via a position-sensitive detector that is tangent to the Rowland circle.

Abstract: An example method for aligning a spectrometer is described herein. The spectrometer includes a radiation source, a crystal analyzer, and a detector that are all positioned on an instrument plane. The method includes rotating the crystal analyzer about an axis that is within the instrument plane and perpendicular to a rotation plane such that (i) a reciprocal lattice vector of the crystal analyzer is within the instrument plane or (ii) a component of the reciprocal lattice vector within the rotation plane is perpendicular to the instrument plane. An origin of the reciprocal lattice vector is located on the axis. The method further includes tilting the crystal analyzer or translating the detector such that the reciprocal lattice vector bisects a line segment that is bounded by the detector and the radiation source. Example spectrometers related to the example method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An example spectrometer includes a crystal analyzer having a radius of curvature that defines a Rowland circle and a sample stage configured to support a sample such that the sample is offset from the Rowland circle. The spectrometer further includes an x-ray source aligned to emit x-rays toward the sample and an entrance slit formed within a material that is opaque to x-rays. The entrance slit is fixedly coupled to the x-ray source such that the entrance slit defines a range of angles at which x-rays that are emitted by the sample and pass through the entrance slit are incident on the crystal analyzer. The spectrometer further includes a position-insensitive x-ray detector aligned to detect x-rays that are scattered by the crystal analyzer.

Abstract: A spectrometer includes a rigid body having a first planar face with an orientation and a second planar face with a different orientation than the first planar face. The first and second planar faces are configured to position Bragg diffraction elements, and the orientation of the first planar face and the different orientation of the second planar face are arranged to convey a predetermined spectral range of the electromagnetic radiation to non-overlapping regions of the sensor location via the diffraction elements.

Abstract: A spectrometer includes a rigid body having a first planar face with an orientation and a second planar face with a different orientation than the first planar face. The first and second planar faces are configured to position Bragg diffraction elements, and the orientation of the first planar face and the different orientation of the second planar face are arranged to convey a predetermined spectral range of the electromagnetic radiation to non-overlapping regions of the sensor location via the diffraction elements.