Two-stage x-ray concentrator
AssigneeThermo Niton Analyzers LLC
InventorsLee Grodzins, Hal Grodzins
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for obtaining a concentrated, monochromatic x-ray beam from a standard x-ray tube or other source of polychromatic emission. X-rays from the anode of the x-ray tube fluoresce an adjoining, independent target that produces a monochromatic spectrum, a portion of which is focused by the x-ray optical system. This two-stage method gives the system considerably versatility without undue loss in signal. The two-stage concentrator makes practical the use of focusing optics in hand-held and portable instruments.
Claims13
A two-stage concentrator for illuminating a target with highly concentrated x-ray radiation of a specified energy, the two-stage concentrator comprising:
- a. a polychromatic source of x-ray radiation, the x-ray radiation emanating from an anode interior to a vacuum enclosure;
- b. a converter disposed exterior to the vacuum enclosure and in substantial abutment to the vacuum enclosure for generating a substantially monochromatic beam of characteristic x-ray line emission of the specified energy;
- and
- c. a focusing element for re-imaging the substantially monochromatic beam of x-rays onto the target.
A method for illuminating a target with highly concentrated x-ray radiation of a specified energy, the method comprising:
- a. creating first-stage beam of polychromatic x-ray radiation within a vacuum enclosure;
- b. converting the polychromatic x-ray radiation to a spot of substantially monochromatic characteristic x-ray line emission of the specified energy by means of a converter disposed externally to the vacuum enclosure;
- and
- c. positioning the spot of substantially monochromatic x-ray radiation at an object plane of an x-ray concentrator;
- and
- d. re-imaging the substantially monochromatic x-ray radiation onto the target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.