Development of a transportable µ‐XRF spectrometer with polycapillary half lens

Abstract

We developed a transportable micro‐XRF (µ‐XRF) spectrometer using a polycapillary X‐ray focusing half lens, which was placed between the sample and the detector. The total weight of the developed spectrometer was about 2 kg; its dimensions were 18(W) × 26(D) × 40(H) cm. The spatial resolution of the spectrometer with the half lens of a working (focal) distance of 30 mm was 171 µm at Fe Kα, which was evaluated by a wire scanning method. In this setup, it is easy to replace the polycapillary X‐ray half lens with one having a different analytical performance, because a precise position‐adjustment of the X‐ray lens is not required. The spacial resolution with the half lens of a working distance of 16 mm was 106 µm at Fe Kα. Depending on analyzing area on the sample and required spatial resolution, we can easily change the X‐ray lens, as in a conventional optical microscope. The calibration curves of V, Cr, Mn, and Ni measured for standard steel materials showed good linear relationships (correlation coefficients >0.993). Clear elemental mapping could be obtained by scanning the sample (Cu mesh). An elemental analysis of a micro‐region in an electronic device was also performed by the transportable µ‐XRF spectrometer. Sn and Pb were detected at the metallic part (Sn–Pb solder) of the device. Br and Ba were observed at some resin parts of the electronic device. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Confocal macro X‐ray fluorescence spectrometer on commercial 3D printer

“…Table top confocal system was reported by publication for laboratory investigations which device was capable of 80 to 100‐μm depth resolution. A new design of transportable XRF system was proposed by the authors of publication applying only a polycapillary half‐lens in front of the detector. This geometrical solution neglects the difficulties of the precise alignment of the X‐ray tube–detector–X‐ray lenses which characteristic feature is very advantageous for a portable spectrometer using it in field measurements.…”

Fundamental characteristics of hybrid X-ray focusing optics for micro X-ray fluorescence analysis

“…of l-XRF. In particular, development and improvement of the monocapillary and the polycapillary X-ray lens (PCXL), which give a highly intense and small X-ray beam in the laboratory [13][14][15][16], are strongly required for l-XRF analysis.…”

Development of a high‐resolution confocal micro‐XRF instrument equipped with a vacuum chamber

“…As a result, the XRF intensity obtained from the sample was enhanced. We also developed a micro‐XRF instrument and an XRF imaging instrument …”