Back to results
US 5,396,529 AGranted
X-ray fluorescence detector
OwnerLee Grodzinsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
OwnerLee Grodzinsinventor
Estimating the term…
A new type of x-ray fluorescence detector is disclosed that utilizes the measured intensities of fluorescent L.sub..alpha. and L.sub..beta. x-rays, or K.sub..alpha. and K.sub..beta. x-rays of a target element, to determine the absolute concentration of the target element, independent of either the thickness or the nature of covering layers over the target element. The detector uses a source of initiating photons whose energy is in a specific range, a detector of the characteristic lead L or K x-rays with sufficient energy resolution to measure the intensities of the L.sub..alpha. and L.sub..beta. rays separately, or K.sub..alpha. and K.sub..beta. x-ray separately, a signal processor, and an appropriate read-out. The detector will improve the rapidity and accuracy of measurements, especially that of lead in paint and in bone, in a very cost-effective manner.
A method for measuring the areal density, in mass per unit area, of a target element near the surface of a substrate, the target element capable of emitting L.sub..alpha. and L.sub..beta. x-rays when suitably excited by an appropriate excitation radiation, the target element being covered by layers of covering material that do not contain the target element, said layers having no significant effect on the intensity of the exciting radiation, comprising the steps of:
A device for measuring the areal density, in mass per unit area, of a target element having L electrons, the target element being near the surface of a substrate, the target element being covered by layers of covering material that do not contain the target element, comprising:
A method for measuring the mass concentration or so-called mass fraction, of a target element that is a uniform constituent of a matrix of material, the target element capable of emitting L.sub..alpha. and L.sub..beta. x-rays when suitably excited, the matrix material being covered by layers of covering material that do not contain the target element, comprising the steps of:
A device for measuring the mass concentration or so-called mass fraction of a target element that is uniformly distributed in a matrix of material, the target element capable of emitting L.sub..alpha. and L.sub..beta. x-rays when suitably excited, the matrix material being covered by layers of covering material that do not contain the target element, comprising:
A method for measuring the areal density, in mass per unit area, of a target element, the target element capable of emitting K.sub..alpha. and K.sub..beta. x-rays when suitably excited by an appropriate excitation radiation, the target element being covered by layers of covering material that do not contain the target element, comprising the steps of:
A method for measuring the areal density, in mass per unit area, of a target element, the target element capable of emitting K.sub..alpha. and K.sub..beta. x-rays when suitably excited by an appropriate excitation radiation, the target element being covered by layers of covering material that do not contain the target element, the layers of covering material having negligible effect on the intensity of the excitation radiation, comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.