X-ray sequential array wavelength dispersive spectrometer

An apparatus configured to receive x-rays propagating from an x-ray source along an x-ray propagation direction, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of x-ray diffractors along the x-ray propagation direction, the plurality of x-ray diffractors comprising at least a first x-ray diffractor and a second x-ray diffractor, the second x-ray diffractor downstream from the first x-ray diffractor;
• and
• a plurality of x-ray detectors comprising at least a first x-ray detector and a second x-ray detector,
• the first x-ray diffractor configured to receive the x-rays, to diffract a first spectral band of the x-rays to the first x-ray detector, and to transmit at least 2% of the received x-rays to the second x-ray diffractor,
• the second x-ray diffractor configured to receive the transmitted x-rays from the first x-ray diffractor and to diffract a second spectral band of the x-rays to the second x-ray detector,
• the first x-ray detector comprising at least one first active element configured to measure a first spectrum of at least a portion of the first spectral band of the x-rays and the second x-ray detector comprising at least one second active element configured to measure a second spectrum of at least a portion of the second spectral band of the x-rays.