The historical development of the thermoelectrically cooled X‐ray detector and its impact on the portable and hand‐held XRF industries (February 2009)

Abstract

Portable/hand‐held X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) instruments now achieve performance comparable to laboratory‐sized, expensive, liquid nitrogen cooled systems. The availability of these systems has expanded XRF applications out of the laboratory to in situ analysis including that for lead in paint, alloy identification, process control, restriction of hazardous substances/waste from electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS/WEEE) compliance, and art and archaeology. The development of small, low‐power, high‐performance, and cost‐effective X‐ray detectors was a critical part of this transformation. This paper will look back at the development and technical achievements of the Amptek X‐ray detector as well the future direction of portable XRF. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Prospects on Low-Z Elements K Fluorescence and Actinide-Radionuclides L Fluorescence X-Ray Detection With Cooled CZT

“…[32], [33]. For low energy X-rays, the electronic noise in the CZT detection system is critical, being the most important factor that determines the energy resolution and the energy detection limit.…”

“…Although the spectroscopic response of Si-PIN detectors [22], [33] be better due to the slightly better energy resolution, its intrinsic detection efficiency is lower for X-rays within the keV range when compared with CZT detectors ( ). For instance, for a typical Si thickness within m range, the intrinsic detection efficiency at 22 keV is as low as , respectively [22].…”

Spatial distribution of air kerma rate and impact of accelerating voltage on the quality of an ultra soft X-ray beam generated by a cold cathode tube in air

“…The detector crystal (300 mm thickness, 2.4 Â 2.8 mm active area) is mounted inside the vacuum enclosure provided with a beryllium window (Pantazis et al, 2010). For Ultrasoft X-rays the photon transmission through the beryllium window (12.5 mm thickness) varies with energy which will in turn impact the amplitude of the measured spectrum.…”

Mobile Spectroscopic Instrumentation in Archaeometry Research

“…[54][55][56][57][58] These instruments utilized radioisotope sources and were largely laboratorydeveloped although a limited number of commercial instruments were available. 59 With the availability of air-cooled X-ray tube sources and thermoelectrically cooled X-ray detectors, 60 the development and applications of portable XRF instruments has increased exponentially in recent years. This is especially evident in the number of commercial portable XRF instruments now available to researchers.…”