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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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Handheld XRF Technology

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Working Principle Of Handheld XRF

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From Spectra To Results

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Handheld XRF Total Element Range

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Handheld XRF Applications

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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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Application Requirements

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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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Next Generation Handheld Analyzer

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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

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Next Generation Handheld Elemental Analysis

• Faster and more accurate

• Smaller and more agile

• More rugged and reliable

• Application specific

• Smart and connected

1994 1997 2002 2007 2009 2010 2012