Spatially Resolved X-ray Fluorescence Analysis with a Pyroelectric X-ray Emitter

Abstract

A portable instrument for two-dimensional X-ray fluorescence imaging was assembled with an X-ray source using a pyroelectric crystal, which was driven by a 9-V dry battery, a Si-PIN detector, a slit, and pulse motors. Line scanning for a mug and a knife-edge-scan of an iron sheet were carried out using this spectrometer. The sensitivity of the spectrometer was sufficient for elemental analysis of a mug using a 1 mm 2 slit, and several elements, such as Co, Ni, Zn, Pb and Zr, were detected. The estimated spatial resolution using a 0.8-mm pinhole was 3.5 mm.

Atomic spectrometry update. X-Ray fluorescence spectrometry

“…Advances in portable X-ray spectrometry have also been driven by terrestrial projects. Hatakeyama and co-workers 22 described the design of a portable instrument with a spatial resolution of 3.5 mm for imaging the distribution of elements in samples. The spectrometer used a battery powered X-ray source (pyroelectric crystal), Si-PIN detector, collimating slit, and stepper motors.…”

“…Continuing their interest in instrument development, Kawai's group 22 described a portable device for 2D X-ray imaging based on a pyroelectric crystal, a Si-PIN detector, a slit and pulse motors, all driven by a 9 V battery. The 0.8 mm pinhole used on this device offered a spatial resolution of 3.5 mm.…”

Observation of X-rays during heating a pyroelectric crystal by an infrared laser

“…Active research into the use of pyroelectrics to generate ionizing radiation, described in detail by Geuther [3], prompted Amptek, Inc. [10] to develop a compact, battery-powered pyroelectric X-ray source. Such compact radiation sources can be used for X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) [11,12], X-ray absorption spectral analysis (XAS) [13], X-ray imaging [14], treatment [15], and education [16].…”

X-ray Spectrometry

“…The authors applied this X-ray triboluminescence phenomenon as a source of X-ray imaging. Hatakeyama et al developed a portable XRF instrument using a commercially available miniature X-ray emitter with a pyroelectric crystal, operated by a 9 V battery (11). They reported a spatial resolution of 3.5 mm with this portable system.…”