Patent ID: 9448191
Filing Date: 2016-09-20
CPC Classification: G01N

Claim Text:
1. A combination comprising a test sample to be analyzed and an apparatus for measuring a trace element contained in the test sample, said apparatus comprising: an X-ray source having a target that emits primary X rays to irradiate the test sample; a first spectroscopic unit having a first curved surface that is constructed, configured and arranged to selectively receive and disperse fluorescence X rays of the trace element that are emitted from the test sample; a second spectroscopic unit having a second curved surface that is constructed, configured and arranged to selectively receive and disperse scattered X rays that are scattered from the test sample, wherein the scattered X rays are dependent on said target of said X-ray source and are not dependent on the trace element contained in the test sample; a single X-ray detector that is positioned so as to receive the fluorescence X rays dispersed by said first spectroscopic unit and to receive the scattered X rays dispersed by said second spectroscopic unit, and that is configured and adapted to detect the fluorescence X rays and the scattered X rays; and a computation unit that is arranged to receive detection data from said single X-ray detector, and that is configured and adapted to determine, from the detection data, an intensity ratio between a first intensity of the fluorescence X rays and a second intensity of the scattered X rays detected by said single X-ray detector, and to determine a content of the trace element contained in the test sample based on the intensity ratio and a calibration curve; wherein the trace element contained in the test sample is a light element, and wherein said X-ray source, said single X-ray detector, said first spectroscopic unit and said second spectroscopic unit are respectively selected, configured and arranged so that said apparatus is able to determine the content of the trace element being a light element contained in the test sample.