Patent ID: 8229064
Filing Date: 2012-07-24
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of inspecting a sample by x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, comprising: irradiating a sample with a beam of exciting x-rays having energies suitable for causing an element of interest to emit characteristic fluorescent x-rays; detecting the fluorescent x-rays emitted from a first inspection volume located at least partially in the sample and measuring a first intensity of the detected fluorescent x-rays emitted from the first inspection volume; detecting the fluorescent x-rays emitted from a second inspection volume located at least partially in the sample and measuring a second intensity of the detected fluorescent x-rays emitted from the second inspection volume, wherein the first inspection volume overlaps with and is non-identical to the second inspection volume; comparing the first intensity to the second intensity; and determining a location of the element of interest based on the comparison.