Patent ID: 6937691
Filing Date: 2005-08-30
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. An X-ray fluorescence spectrometric system which comprises: a vapor phase decomposition apparatus operable to retain on a surface of a substrate a substance to be measured that is found on the surface of the substrate or a substance to be measured that is found on a surface of a film formed on the surface of the substrate or within the film, after such substance has been dissolved by a reactive gas and has subsequently been dried, in a decomposing chamber; a sample recovery apparatus operable to drop a solution on the substrate having the surface on which the substance to be measures exists, to move the solution on the substrate surface while being retained by a retainer, and to retain the substance to be measured on the substrate surface after having been recovered in the solution and then dried, in a recovery chamber that is disposed above the decomposing chamber; an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer operable to measure intensities of fluorescent X-rays emitted from the substance to be measured that is retained on the substrate by the vapor phase decomposition apparatus or the sample recovery apparatus, when such substance is irradiated by primary X-rays; a transport apparatus operable to transport the substrate from the decomposing chamber towards the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, to transport the substrate from the decomposing chamber towards the recovery chamber and to transport the substrate from the recovery chamber towards the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer; and a control apparatus for controlling the vapor phase decomposition apparatus, the sample recovery apparatus, the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer and the transport apparatus.