Portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer

December 14, 2006

Engineers at Thermo Electron Co., Waltham, Mass. (thermo.com), have built a portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer, the Niton XRF, that can reveal the elemental makeup of an object by analyzing the unique characteristic X-rays it emits after being bombarded with X-rays

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Edited by Stephen J. Mraz

Engineers at Thermo Electron Co., Waltham, Mass. (thermo.com), have built a portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer, the Niton XRF, that can reveal the elemental makeup of an object by analyzing the unique characteristic X-rays it emits after being bombarded with X-rays. The Niton rapidly detects elements and their relative concentrations. The device will not work on lighter elements (low Z elements) that generate spectral energies below 2.5 Kev, as these are absorbed by the air. To use Niton on lightweight elements, users need a helium gas purge or a lab instrument with a vacuum chamber.

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Comments

Health Concern

On July 3rd, 2011 Anonymous (not verified) says:

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I have been doing a bit of research or X-Ray in general, on the point of how safe are X-Ray machine that are in the market. I had found various opinions with regard to the chances of contracting Cancer. Would you be able to enlighten me as to how many Rads does such a machine produce?

Regards
Douglas

reply

Hand held XRF machine

On February 10th, 2009 Kim Karnes (not verified) says:

How much are these X-Ray machines? What is the cost of operations for one ie: what elements are needed to be purchased to continue use over a long term period? Are these safe to use? Do we need a helium gas purge or a lab instrument with a vacuum chamber?