X-Ray Aperture Shielding to Suppress Fluorescence Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray fluorescence analyzers face issues with fluorescent X-rays from the aperture member being mixed with primary X-rays, leading to noise detection due to the thinner peripheral portion of the aperture member emitting fluorescent X-rays onto the sample stage.
Innovation Solution
The aperture member is designed with a shielding portion on its inner surface between the X-ray tube and the peripheral portion of the second opening, shielding primary X-rays to reduce the generation of fluorescent X-rays and their detection as noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the aperture member has a thin peripheral portion to allow primary X-rays to pass through, then the transmission of primary X-rays is improved, but fluorescent X-rays are generated from the peripheral portion and mixed with primary X-rays, increasing noise
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture member is divided into a peripheral portion and an inner portion, with the shielding portion selectively placed only in the inner region. This segmentation allows the peripheral portion to remain thin for X-ray transmission while the inner portion contains the shielding structure to prevent fluorescent X-ray generation, thus resolving the contradiction between transmission efficiency and noise reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding portion is applied locally to the inner surface of the hole in the inner region of the aperture member, rather than uniformly across the entire structure. This local application of shielding material prevents fluorescent X-ray generation at critical locations while maintaining thin peripheral portions for optimal X-ray transmission, addressing the contradiction between transmission and noise.
2Productivity
If the aperture member peripheral portion is made thinner to improve X-ray transmission, then the primary X-ray transmission is enhanced, but the peripheral portion becomes more susceptible to generating fluorescent X-rays that reach the detector as noise
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture member is segmented into regions with different thickness characteristics and shielding properties. The peripheral portion maintains thinness for high transmission efficiency, while the inner region incorporates a shielding portion on the inner surface to prevent fluorescent X-ray generation, thus maintaining both high productivity and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding portion acts as an intermediary element within the inner region of the aperture member. It intercepts primary X-rays before they can interact with the peripheral portion's inner surface, preventing fluorescent X-ray generation without affecting the overall transmission efficiency of the thin peripheral structure, thereby maintaining both productivity and measurement precision.
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
This design effectively suppresses the emission of fluorescent X-rays from the aperture member, reducing noise in the analysis results by shielding primary X-rays before they reach the peripheral portion, thus improving the signal-to-noise ratio.
Implementation Method 1
the aperture member includes a shielding portion formed on an inner surface of the hole, the shielding portion being formed between the X-ray tube and the peripheral portion of the second opening and on a side in the first direction than a straight line connecting the X-ray tube and the edge portion of the second opening
Implementation Method 2
there was a possibility that fluorescent X-rays from the aperture member, generated by the incident primary X-rays at the peripheral portion, would be mixed with the primary X-rays that have passed through the hole
Data Source
AI summary
An aperture member narrows an irradiation range of primary X-rays generated by an X-ray tube. The analysis unit analyzes fluorescent X-rays generated from a sample when the sample is irradiated with the primary X-rays that have passed through the aperture member. The aperture member includes a first opening formed on an incident side of the primary X-rays, a second opening formed on an emission side of the primary X-rays, and a hole formed between the first opening and the second opening to allow the primary X-rays to pass through. The aperture member includes a shielding portion formed on an inner surface of the hole, the shielding portion being formed between the X-ray tube and the peripheral portion of the second opening and on a side outer than a straight line connecting the X-ray tube and the edge portion of the second opening.