X-ray Optical Systems Incorporated

John H Burdett

Ian Radley

Thomas J Bievenue

Zewu Chen

Stuart Shakshober

Brian William Gallagher

Michael D Moore

Rory D Delaney

Daniel L Dunham

James Brian Quinn

Steven M Pomerantz

David M Gibson

Walter M Gibson

Adam Bailey

Kai Xin

Stuart M Shakshober

R Scott Semken

A support structure having multiple highly aligned curved x-ray optics, the support structure having multiple internal partially or fully concentric surfaces upon which said optics are mounted, thereby aligning said optics along a central optical axis thereof and therefore to a source, sample, and/or detector in combination with which the support structure is useable. The surfaces may be nested around the central optical axis; and the support structure may divided longitudinally into sections around the central optical axis by walls. At least one of the x-ray optics comprises a curved diffracting optic, for receiving a diverging x-ray beam and focusing the beam to a focal area, in one embodiment a focusing monochromating optic. In an improved embodiment, an optic comprises a single layer, plastically deformed, LiF optic.

Support structure and highly aligned monochromatic X-ray optics for X-ray analysis engines and analyzers

A mobile transport and shielding apparatus, which holds an x-ray analyzer for transport between operating sites, and also serves as a shielded, operational station for holding the x-ray analyzer during operation thereof. The x-ray analyzer is removably insertable into the apparatus and is operable either within the mobile transport and shielding apparatus, or outside of the apparatus. The apparatus may provide means to control, power, cool, and/or charge the x-ray analyzer during operation of the analyzer; and also means to transport the analyzer (e.g., a handle).

Mobile transport and shielding apparatus for removable x-ray analyzer

Sample cell for x-ray analyzer

A sample cell for an analysis instrument, having an outer body forming a sample reservoir therein; a directional fill valve disposed in an upper end of the outer body and forming an upper end of the sample reservoir, the fill valve for accepting a sample during filling, and preventing sample leakage while providing venting after filling; and a film covering a lower end of the outer body, and forming a bottom end of the sample reservoir, the film for presenting the sample to an analysis focal spot of the analysis instrument. The disclosed sample cell is especially suited for an x-ray analysis engine having a focal spot requiring alignment with the sample in the sample cell. At least one x-ray optic may be disposed in an excitation and/or detection path, requiring alignment to the focal spot, in e.g., a WDXRF or EDXRF system.

Pre-filmed precision sample cell for x-ray analyzer

A method and device for cooling and electrically-insulating a high-voltage, heat-generating component, for example, an x-ray tube () for analyzing fluids by means of x-ray fluorescence. The device includes an x-ray source () including an x-ray tube () having improved heat-dissipating properties due to the thermal coupling of the x-ray tube with a thermally-conductive, dielectric material (). The device may include a base assembly () mounted to the component for conducting heat away from the component while electrically isolating the component. In one aspect of the invention, the base assembly includes two copper plates () separated by a dielectric plate (). The dielectric plate minimizes or prevents the leakage of current through the base assembly (). One aspect of the disclosed invention is most amenable to the analysis of sulfur in petroleum-based fuels.

Method and device for cooling and electrically insulating a high voltage, heat-generating component such as an x-ray tube for analyzing fluid streams

A method and apparatus for analyzing fluids by means of x-ray fluorescence. The method and apparatus are applicable to any fluid, including liquids and gases, having at least one component that emits x-ray fluorescence when exposed to x-rays. The apparatus includes an x-ray source () including an x-ray tube () having improved heat dissipating properties due to the thermal coupling of the x-ray tube with a thermally-conductive, dielectric material (). The x-ray tube also includes means for aligning () the x-ray tube with the x-ray source housing whereby the orientation of the x-ray beam produced by the x-ray source can be optimized, and stabilized various over operating conditions. The method and apparatus may also include an x-ray detector having a small-area, for example, a PIN-diode type semiconductor x-ray detector (), that can provide effective x-ray detection at room temperature. One aspect of the disclosed invention is most amenable to the analysis of sulfur in petroleum-based fuels.

Detection apparatus for x-ray analysis, including semiconductor detectors having uncooled active areas

An x-ray source assembly and method of operation are provided having enhanced output stability. The assembly includes an anode having a source spot upon which electrons impinge and a control system for controlling position of the anode source spot relative to an output structure. The control system can maintain the anode source spot location relative to the output structure notwithstanding a change in one or more operating conditions of the x-ray source assembly. One aspect of the disclosed invention is most amenable to the analysis of sulfur in petroleum-based fuels.

X-ray source assembly having enhanced output stability, and fluid stream analysis applications thereof

An x-ray source assembly () and method of operation are provided having enhanced output stability. The assembly includes an anode () having a source spot upon which electrons () impinge and a control system () for controlling position of the anode source spot relative to an output structure. The control system can maintain the anode source spot location relative to the output structure () notwithstanding a change in one or more operating conditions of the x-ray source assembly. One aspect of the disclosed invention is most amenable to the analysis of sulfur in petroleum-based fuels.

Method and device for cooling and electrically insulating a high-voltage, heat-generating component such as an x-ray tube for analyzing fluid streams

A measurement and processing technique enabling x-ray analysis systems to handle dynamically changing samples and other conditions resulting in both significant and insignificant measurement changes. A stream of input values related to measured compositional information of the sample is received, and a stream of output compositional values is produced. The current output value y[n] is set as a function of the received input value x[n] if the received input value x[n] differs from x[n&#x2212;1] by more than an intensity-dependent deviation limit; and alternatively the current output y[n] is set as a function of the previous output y[n&#x2212;1] and the received input value x[n] if the received input value x[n] differs from x[n&#x2212;1] by less than the intensity-dependent deviation limit. The intensity-dependent deviation limit is maintained as a function of the intensity of the measured compositional information. Types of dynamically changing samples to which the technique is applicable include fluid streams and sheet production, monitored by, e.g., XRF and XRD systems.

Apparatus and method for suppressing insignificant variations in measured sample composition data, including data measured from dynamically changing samples using x-ray analysis techniques

A technique for analyzing fluids by means of x-ray fluorescence applicable to any fluid, including liquids and gases, which emit x-ray fluorescence when exposed to x-rays. The apparatus includes an x-ray source () including an x-ray tube () having improved heat dissipating properties due to a thermally-conductive, dielectric material (). The x-ray tube also includes means for aligning () the tube with the source housing whereby the orientation of the x-ray beam produced by the source can be optimized, and stabilized over various operating conditions. The method and apparatus may also include an x-ray detector having a small-area, for example, a PIN-diode type semiconductor x-ray detector (), that can provide effective x-ray detection at room temperature. One aspect of the disclosed invention is most amenable to the analysis of sulfur in petroleum-based fuels.

X-ray tube and method and apparatus for analyzing fluid streams using x-rays

Methods and devices for aligning an x-ray optic with a source of x-rays and methods and devices for determining a focusing characteristic of an x-ray optic are provided. The methods and devices simplify the process of aligning an x-ray optic device (for example, a polycapillary x-ray optic) to an x-ray source or for measuring a focusing characteristic, for example, the focal length or beam shape, of an x-ray optic. In one aspect, the device includes a housing having a first aperture adapted for receiving an x-ray optic and a surface having an x-ray flourescent material from which visual fluorescence occurs when impinged by x-rays. The size and shape of fluorescence from the surface may be varied by moving the surface to determine, for example, the focal length of the x-ray optic.

Methods and devices for aligning and determining the focusing characteristics of x-ray optics

A unitary support device for a polycapillary optic is provided wherein a housing has a central opening therethrough and at least two locating structures, such as positioning shoulders, formed therein. Each locating structure is sized and positioned to accommodate a different polycapillary positioning component within the housing. Each polycapillary positioning component has at least one opening for holding at least one polycapillary of the polycapillary optic. One or more coaxial bores can define the central opening of the housing and the locating shoulders in one continuous fabrication operation. Depending upon the polycapillary positioning components employed, i.e., location of the openings therein for accommodating the polycapillaries, the positioning components can be oriented within the housing such that radiation from one of a divergent beam, a focused beam, or a parallel beam is collected by the optic, and such that the optic can output one of a collimated beam, a focused beam or a divergent beam.

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Charlton, NY, United States of America

John H Burdett