Post on 11-May-2018
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The world leader in serving science
Esa Nummi
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Next Generation Handheld Elemental Analyzers – Smarter, Smaller and Faster
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Presentation Outline
• Basics of X-ray Fluorescence (XRF)
• History of field portable XRF
• Handheld XRF applications
• Application requirements
• Advances in handheld XRF technology
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Brief History Of Field Portable XRF
1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s
•First
commercial
field portable
XRF
• Isotope based
•Non-dispersive
scintillation
detector
•No calibrations
•First field
portable ED-
XRF
•Multiple probes
•Proportional
counter detector
•Pre-installed
empirical
calibrations
•Multi-source
probes
• Improved
electronics
•Proportional
counter
•Empirical
calibrations
•First units with
Si-PIN detector
•Embedded PC
•Faster
electronics
•FP and
empirical
calibrations
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Brief History Of Handheld XRF
1994 1998 2002 2008
Niton XL-300
•First handheld
XRF
•Si-PIN detector
• Isotope source
•Pb in paint
calibration
Niton XL-700
•Multiple isotope
sources
• Improved Si-
PIN detector
•Pre-installed
alloy calibration
Niton XLt
•35kV X-ray tube
•Ergonomic
pistol type
design
•Si-PIN detector
•Multiple
applications
Niton XL3t SDD
•50kV X-ray tube
•Silicon drift
detector
•Light element
capability without
He or Vacuum
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Evolution Of HHXRF Performance
X-ray tube
SDD-detector
• Introduction of
new technologies
rapidly changed
the HHXRF
• Mini X-ray tube
• Silicon drift
detectors (SDD)
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Positive Material Identification
• General
• Tight places and corners
• High temperature
• Vibrating samples
• Weld analysis
• Coated samples
• Reporting and data logging
• Analytical
• Accurate metal grade
identification
• Trace element analysis
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Toys and Consumer Goods
• General
• Multiple layers
• Small details
• Thin samples
• Reporting
• Pass-Fail analysis
• Analytical
• Parts per million level
analysis
• Precision and accuracy at
regulatory level
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Precious Metals
• General
• Analysis speed
• Ease of use
• Small spot analysis
• Complex sample shapes
• Reporting and Pricing
• Analytical
• Accurate Karat analysis
• Plating detection
• Gold purity analysis
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Scrap Recycling
• General
• Analysis speed
• Ease of use
• Ruggedness and reliability
• Various sample shapes and
forms
• Sample surface is often dirty
• Analytical
• Unknown and exotic metals
• Trace and tramp elements
• Precious metal scrap
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Mining and Ore Exploration
• General
• Heterogeneous samples
• Drill core analysis
• Sample bag analysis
• Weight and portability
• Ruggedness
• GPS and GIS integration
• Analytical
• Wide range of elements
• Light element analysis
• Rare earth elements
• Precious elements
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Art and Conservation
• General
• Often qualitative or semi-
quantitative analysis
• Spectral comparison and
interpretation
• Inhomogeneous materials
• Small spot analysis
• Reporting and
documentation
• Completely non-destructive
analysis
• Analytical
• Wide range of elements
• Trace element analysis
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Summary – Some Key Application Requirements
• Analytical performance
• Speed
• Light element performance
• Trace element sensitivity
• Hardware
• Ruggedness and reliability
• Small, light and agile
• Software
• Ease of use, reporting and connectivity.
• Each market has specific interface and software needs.
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New Handheld Elemental Techniques - LIBS
• Advantages
• Wide element range
• Light element analysis
• Very fast
• No X-ray regulations
• Limitations
• Very small spot size
• Inhomogeneous samples
• Empirical calibrations, limited
to calibration range
• Slightly destructive
• Requires close contact with
sample
Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
(LIBS)
Courtesy of Applied Spectra, Inc.
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How To Improve Analytical Performance
• Precision
• X-ray source
• Detector
• Geometry
• Pulse processor
• Electronics
Courtesy of www.physicsinfo.co.uk
Poor accuracy
Good Precision
Good Accuracy
Good Precision
Poor accuracy
Poor Precision
• Accuracy
• Software
• Algorithms
• Calibration procedure
• Calibration samples
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Next Generation X-ray Source Development
• Miniaturization
• Extended High voltage
range
• Higher power and flux
• New X-ray source
technologies
• Significant overall
improvement of speed
and sensitivity
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Next Generation Detector Technology
• Larger area for higher
sensitivity
• New window materials
• Expanded energy
range
• Higher count rates
• Significant overall
improvement of speed
and sensitivity
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Next Generation Field Sample Preparation Techniques
• Improved light element
performance makes sample
preparation more important
than ever.
• Field portable sample
preparation solutions are
required.
Measurement depth of selected
elements in SiO2 and Fe matrix.
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Next Generation Handheld – Rugged, Agile Or Both
RUGGED
Rugged device which will always
work, no matter what.
•Drop proof
•Wide operating temperature
•Protected nose
•Completely sealed
•Rugged and reliable
AGILE
Make measurement easy and
convenient.
•Small and narrow, adjustable probe
• Internal camera + small spot
•Tilt screen
•Visual cues for measurement window
•Drop-proof shell
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Next Generation Software and Algorithms
• Ease of use, customization and connectivity
are required in every market.
• Each market has specific interface and
software needs based on their workflow
• Next generation software features:
• Application specific workflows
• Smart measurement and results
• Advanced data management
• Smart connectivity
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Next Generation Smart Connectivity
• The Internet of Things is here
in the devices, sensors and
cloud services.
• Analytical instruments are
evolving to smart and
connected.
• Remotely managed and updated
• Can interact with remote data
systems
• Can interact with other applications
and devices