Patent ID: 7233643
Filing Date: 2007-06-19
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A measurement apparatus for determining the material composition of a sample, comprising: an X-ray fluorescence detector adapted to detect fluorescent X-rays coming from said sample upon said sample being exposed to incident X-rays, a laser source adapted to produce a laser beam, focusing optics adapted to focus said laser beam into a focal spot on a surface of said sample, an optical sensor adapted to detect optical emissions coming from particles of said sample upon said sample being exposed to said laser beam at said focal spot, and a gas administration subsystem adapted to controllably deliver noble gas to a space around said focal spot; wherein the measurement apparatus is a portable measurement apparatus, and wherein the measurement apparatus is configured to use a shorter exposure time in an optical measurement involving the use of said laser source, said focusing optics and said optical sensor than in an X-ray fluorescence measurement involving the use of said X-ray fluorescence detector, and wherein said gas administration subsystem is configured to stop delivering the noble gas when said optical measurement ends.