Application of Spherically Curved Crystals for X-Ray Fluorescence

Abstract

A general purpose x-ray fluorescence spectrometer has been constructed that employs the focusing properties of large spherically curved crystals. The 10 cm X 10 cm single crystals are bent to a 63.5-cm radius of curvature, and ground to the 31.75 radius of curvature of the focal circle. A motor-driven remotely controlled interchange mechanism has positions for four of these crystals. Also provided are: interchange of gas flow proportional counter or scintillation counter, and of chromium or tungsten target x-ray tubes, and a wide range of entrance and detector slitwidth combinations. Resolution and sensitivity are greatly superior to those of flat crystal optics.