X-ray optical system with detachable polycapillary optics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing X-ray optical systems fail to efficiently convert a linear X-ray beam into a converging beam focused on a point, particularly when switching between different optical methods, resulting in reduced X-ray intensity per unit area and inability to handle small sample regions effectively.

Innovation Solution

An X-ray optical system comprising an X-ray source, a parabolic multilayer mirror, an optical-path selection slit device, and detachable polycapillary optics that converts a parallel X-ray beam into a converging beam focused on a point, allowing for selective generation of linear or point X-ray beams with enhanced intensity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a linear X-ray beam is used for diffraction measurement, then the measurement coverage is sufficient, but the X-ray intensity per unit area is insufficient for small region measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveX-ray intensity per unit areaVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy for small regions
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the X-ray beam path into distinct optical paths (parallel beam path and diverging beam path) that can be selectively switched. The parallel beam path maintains sufficient intensity for general measurements, while the diverging beam path concentrates X-rays for small region measurements, allowing segmentation of measurement modes to resolve the intensity-precision contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a rotatable optical path selection slit device that dynamically switches between different beam configurations. By rotating the slit device, the system transitions from parallel beam mode to diverging beam mode, enabling dynamic adaptation of X-ray intensity distribution to match measurement requirements, thus resolving the static intensity limitation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the optical system is configured for parallel beam method, then the beam parallelism is maintained, but the ability to focus on small regions is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to handle different measurement modesVSAvoidX-ray irradiation region size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal optical system that can perform both parallel beam diffraction measurements and focused small region measurements using the same hardware configuration. The optical path selection slit device enables the system to universally handle multiple measurement modes (parallel beam method and small region focused method) without requiring separate dedicated systems, thus achieving multi-functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable optical path selection slit device provides dynamic reconfiguration capability, allowing the system to switch between parallel beam configuration and focused beam configuration on demand. This dynamic adaptability enables the same optical system to serve multiple measurement purposes, resolving the contradiction between maintaining beam parallelism and enabling small region focusing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If slit devices are added to reduce beam size for small regions, then the irradiation region is reduced, but the X-ray intensity is remarkably reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveX-ray irradiation region sizeVSAvoidX-ray intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a diverging beam path that naturally concentrates X-rays toward a focal region, utilizing the curved trajectory of diverging beams to achieve intensity concentration without mechanical slits. This curvature-based focusing mechanism reduces the need for additional slit restrictions, thereby maintaining higher X-ray intensity while achieving small region irradiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical path selection slit device acts as an intermediary that directs the full-intensity diverging beam precisely to the small region of interest without requiring additional intensity-reducing slits. By mediating the beam path, the system achieves both small region targeting and intensity preservation, resolving the contradiction between region size reduction and intensity maintenance.

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

The system achieves higher X-ray intensity per unit area and enables precise X-ray diffraction measurements on small regions by converting a linear X-ray beam into a converging beam focused on a point, improving measurement accuracy and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the X-ray beam passes through the second aperture 16 of an aperture slit plate 14, and thereafter is reflected by a parabolic multilayer mirror 18 to become a parallel beam 20

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the use of the polycapillary optics provides the converging beam with a higher X-ray intensity per unit area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP1912061B1X-ray optical system
Publication Date: 2010.08.04 RIGAKU CORP
  • EP1912061B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1912061B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP1912061B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An X-ray optical system provides selectively a linear X-ray beam (20) and a point X-ray beam (48) while using an X-ray source (10) which generates an X-ray beam (12) having a linear section. When the point X-ray beam (48) is selected, an X-ray intensity per unit area becomes higher. The X-ray optical system has an X-ray source (10), a parabolic multilayer mirror (18) to which an aperture slit plate (14) is attached, an optical-path selection slit device (22), a polycapillary optics (36) and an exit-width restriction slit (38). The polycapillary optics (36) and the exit-width restriction slit (38) are detachably inserted into a path of a parallel beam (20) coming from the parabolic multilayer mirror (18), and thus they can be removed from the path and a Soller slit (26) and a divergence slit (28) can be inserted instead.