SBIR Phase I: High-Intensity Microfocus X-Ray Fluorescence Using Monolithic Capillary Optics

*96-60528完成这一小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目将证明使用单片毛细管光学元件来增强微焦点X射线荧光仪器的能力的可行性。X射线荧光是有用的，因为它能够非破坏性地对基本上任何高灵敏度的样品进行元素分析。在商用MXRF仪器中，空间分辨率通常是通过针孔准直来实现的，但代价是大大降低了通量和检测限。多纤维多毛细管X射线光学系统具有收集和聚焦X射线的能力；然而，光斑尺寸通常为0.5毫米或更大。聚焦式单片式(单片式)多通道毛细X射线光学系统刚刚研制成功。通过从实验室X射线源收集大的固体角度并聚焦到40微米以下，它们应该可以提供更好的性能，潜在地将X射线强度提高两个数量级以上，同时与现有的MXRF系统相比，减小了光斑尺寸。这将提高检测极限、空间分辨率、工作距离和缩短测量时间。商业应用包括在预测性维护中使用过程监控系统。低成本的安装、简单的操作和较低的人员要求，以及其访问非传统工艺变量的能力，预计将具有商业吸引力。此外，改进的微焦点X射线荧光有望用于许多科学学科，包括地球化学、矿物学、环境监测和修复、生物学和先进材料。***

*** 96-60528 Downing This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will demonstrate the feasibility of using a monolithic capillary optic to enhance the capability of microfocus X-ray fluorescence (MXRF) instrumentation. X-ray fluorescence is useful because of its ability nondestructively to perform elemental analysis on essentially any sample with high sensitivity. In commercial MXRF instruments, spatial resolution is typically achieved by pinhole collimating, at the expense of greatly reduced flux and detection limits. Multifiber polycapillary X-ray optics have a demonstrated capability to collect and focus X-rays; however, the spot size is typically 0.5 mm or larger. Focusing monolithic (one-piece) multichannel capillary X-ray optics have just been developed. By collecting a large solid angle from laboratory X-ray sources and focusing to less than 40 microns, they should provide greater performance, potentially increasing X-ray intensity by more than two orders of magnitude while decreasing the spot size compared to available MXRF systems. This would improve detection limits, spatial resolution, working distance, and reduced measurement time. Commercial applications include use a process monitoring system in predictive maintenance. Low cost installation, simple operation, and lower personnel requirements, as well as its capability to access non-traditional process variables, are expected to be commercially attractive. In addition, improved microfocus X-ray fluorescence is expected to be used in many scientific disciplines, including geochemistry, mineralogy, environmental monitoring and remediation, biology, and advanced materials. ***