Abstract: A hand-held, self-contained x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer produces a small x-ray spot on a sample to interrogate the elemental composition of a sample region of millimeter-size characteristic dimension. The analyzer includes a collimator for aiming an x-ray beam toward a desired location on the sample and for determining the size of the spot produced on the sample. The analyzer may include a digital camera oriented toward the portion of the sample that is, or would be, interrogated by the x-ray spot to facilitate aiming the analyzer. The analyzer may generate a reticule in a displayed image to indicate the portion of the sample that is, or would be, illuminated by the x-ray beam. The analyzer may automatically annotate the image of the sample with text or graphics that contain information about the analyzed sample. The image may be stored in the hand-held analyzer or provided for external storage or display.

Abstract: A hand-held, self-contained x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer produces a small x-ray spot on a sample to interrogate the elemental composition of a sample region of millimeter-size characteristic dimension. The analyzer includes a collimator for aiming an x-ray beam toward a desired location on the sample and for determining the size of the spot produced on the sample. The analyzer may include a digital camera oriented toward the portion of the sample that is, or would be, interrogated by the x-ray spot to facilitate aiming the analyzer. The analyzer may generate a reticule in a displayed image to indicate the portion of the sample that is, or would be, illuminated by the x-ray beam. The analyzer may automatically annotate the image of the sample with text or graphics that contain information about the analyzed sample. The image may be stored in the hand -held analyzer or provided for external storage or display.

Abstract: An analytical instrument may be docked in a stand. The stand provides electrical power, cooling, gas to purge air from an analytical gap within the instrument and/or other supplies or services to the instrument. The stand contains a contactless memory, such as an RF-ID tag, which stores information about the supplies and/or services the stand is capable of providing to the instrument. The instrument reads the stand's contactless memory and automatically sets operational parameters of the instrument in accordance with the supplies and/or services the stand is capable of providing. Thus, the instrument may automatically operate in an enhanced mode, such as at a higher x-ray beam power, as a result of being mounted in the stand.

Abstract: A low-profile, hand-holdable, self-contained x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer includes an articulated head. Orientation of the head, relative to a body of the analyzer, may be user adjusted, manually and/or via remote control. A primary x-ray source and an x-ray detector are disposed within the head for articulation therewith. The analyzer may be inserted into a small diameter pipe or other hollow structure, and then the orientation of the head may be adjusted, so a business end of the head is oriented toward a portion of the interior of the pipe or other structure that is to be analyzed. Alternatively, a primary x-ray source and an x-ray detector are disposed within a fixed-orientation head, such that the business end axis of the analyzer is oriented approximately perpendicular to the main axis of the body.

Abstract: An analytical instrument stores and/or reads information related to a sample in a contactless memory, such as a passive or active radio-frequency identification (RF-ID) tag. The information may include information about: composition of the sample, one or more analytical instruments that were used to analyze the sample, operator(s) who used the instrument(s) to analyze the sample, user-entered data about the sample (such as an origin of the sample) or a combination thereof or the like. The memory may be attached to the sample or to a container, in which the sample is stored or transported. One or more copies of such a memory may be loosely stored with the sample, such as with soil in a plastic bag or a rail car. When the memory is attached to, or stored with, the sample, the sample becomes essentially self-documenting. Information about the sample, such as its composition or origin, may be read by a contactless memory reader, such as an RF-ID reader.

Abstract: An analytical instrument may be docked in a stand. The stand provides electrical power, cooling, gas to purge air from an analytical gap within the instrument and/or other supplies or services to the instrument. The stand contains a contactless memory, such as an RF-ID tag, which stores information about the supplies and/or services the stand is capable of providing to the instrument. The instrument reads the stand's contactless memory and automatically sets operational parameters of the instrument in accordance with the supplies and/or services the stand is capable of providing. Thus, the instrument may automatically operate in an enhanced mode, such as at a higher x-ray beam power, as a result of being mounted in the stand.

Abstract: An analytical instrument includes a contactless memory reader, such as an RF-ID reader. Each person authorized to use the instrument carries a contactless memory, such as an RF-ID tag in an identification (ID) badge. The instrument scans for a contactless memory containing information identifying an authorized user prior to performing an analysis or prior to operating in a predetermined mode, thus preventing unauthorized persons from operating the instrument or from operating the instrument in an unauthorized mode.

Abstract: A hand-held, self-contained x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer produces a small x-ray spot on a sample to interrogate the elemental composition of a sample region of millimeter-size characteristic dimension. The analyzer includes a collimator for aiming an x-ray beam toward a desired location on the sample and for determining the size of the spot produced on the sample. The analyzer may include a digital camera oriented toward the portion of the sample that is, or would be, interrogated by the x-ray spot to facilitate aiming the analyzer. The analyzer may generate a reticule in a displayed image to indicate the portion of the sample that is, or would be, illuminated by the x-ray beam. The analyzer may automatically annotate the image of the sample with text or graphics that contain information about the analyzed sample. The image may be stored in the hand-held analyzer or provided for external storage or display.

Abstract: A radiation shield and method for reducing ambient radiation levels at a distance from a surface irradiated by penetrating radiation emanating from an instrument substantially along a propagation axis. The shield attaches to an end of the instrument proximate to an irradiated surface and has a surface of attenuating material disposed with a component extending outward from the propagation axis of penetrating radiation and substantially adjacent to the irradiated surface.

Abstract: A radiation shield and method for reducing ambient radiation levels at a distance from a surface irradiated by penetrating radiation emanating from an instrument. The shield attaches to an end of the instrument abutting an irradiated surface and has a platen of attenuating material disposed within a plane substantially transverse to the propagation direction of penetrating radiation and substantially adjacent to the irradiated surface.

Abstract: A radiation shield and method for reducing ambient radiation levels at a distance from a surface irradiated by penetrating radiation emanating from an instrument. The shield attaches to an end of the instrument abutting an irradiated surface and has a platen of attenuating material disposed within a plane substantially transverse to the propagation direction of penetrating radiation and substantially adjacent to the irradiated surface.