X-ray fluorescence analyzer with a plurality of measurement channels, and a method for performing x-ray fluorescence analysis

Abstract

An X-ray fluorescence analyzer including an X-ray tube for emitting incident X-rays in the direction of a first optical axis. A slurry handling unit is configured to maintain a constant distance between a sample of slurry and the X-ray tube. A first crystal diffractor is located in a first direction from the slurry handling unit. The first crystal diffractor includes a first crystal and a first radiation detector configured to detect fluorescent X-rays diffracted by the first crystal at a first energy resolution. A second crystal diffractor is located in a second direction from the slurry handling unit. The second crystal diffractor includes a second crystal and a second radiation detector configured to detect fluorescent X-rays diffracted by the second crystal at a second energy resolution. The first crystal is a pyrolytic graphite crystal, the second crystal is of a material other than pyrolytic graphite, and the first and second crystal diffractors are configured to direct to their respective radiation detectors characteristic fluorescent radiation of a same element.