Spectrometer With Remote Crystal Analyzer and Detector Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spectrometers require constant reorientation of the crystal analyzer and detector to analyze various elemental fluorescence lines, and this reorientation is challenging in environments like vacuum or inert-air gloveboxes.

Innovation Solution

A spectrometer with remotely oriented crystal analyzer and detector components, allowing precise reorientation and operation in environments such as vacuum or inert-air gloveboxes, using motors and arms to maintain the Rowland geometry while keeping the sample stationary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the crystal analyzer and detector are reoriented to analyze various elemental fluorescence lines, then the spectrometer can measure different energy regions, but the reorientation is challenging in vacuum or inert-air glovebox environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to analyze various elemental fluorescence linesVSAvoiddifficulty of reorientation in controlled environments
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spectrometer employs motorized arms that enable dynamic reorientation of the crystal analyzer and detector while maintaining the Rowland geometry. The first arm rotates the crystal analyzer around a first axis, and the second arm rotates the detector around a second axis, allowing the system to adapt to different measurement requirements without manual intervention, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and ease of operation in controlled environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the crystal analyzer and detector are moved to maintain Rowland geometry, then different Bragg angles and energy regions can be measured, but the sample position must remain fixed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to measure different energy regionsVSAvoidcomplexity of moving components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the reorientation function into two independent segments: the first arm for rotating the crystal analyzer and the second arm for rotating the detector. This segmentation allows each component to be controlled independently while maintaining the Rowland geometry, enabling measurement of different energy regions without requiring the sample to move, thus managing the complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If remote orientation mechanisms are added to enable operation in vacuum or inert-air gloveboxes, then the spectrometer can operate in controlled environments, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to operate in vacuum or inert-air environmentsVSAvoidcomplexity of remote orientation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The motorized arms act as intermediaries that enable remote orientation of the crystal analyzer and detector. These arms can be controlled from outside the vacuum or inert-air environment, allowing the spectrometer to operate in controlled environments without requiring direct manual manipulation inside the chamber. The first arm mediates the rotation of the crystal analyzer, and the second arm mediates the rotation of the detector, thus enabling environmentally controlled operation while managing complexity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables precise analysis of elemental fluorescence lines in various environments by maintaining the Rowland geometry without disturbing the environment, with high energy resolution and ability to measure X-ray spectra and absorption fine structures.

Implementation Method 1

When X-rays from the sample encounter the crystal analyzer at a specific angle, only those X-rays with wavelengths that satisfy Bragg's Law are diffracted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBragg diffraction: Bragg Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

Combined with a position-sensitive X-ray detector ('detector'), these refocused rays are measured by placing the detector on the circle, and, using the relationship between the refocused position and the energy, measured X-rays on the detector are assigned to particular energies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4048990B1spectrometer
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 EASYXAFS LLC
  • EP4048990B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4048990B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP4048990B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention described herein is a spectrometer having components allowing remote orientation of crystal analyzer and detector.