Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. An x-ray system for exciting a sample under x-ray analysis, comprising:a curved, point-to-point focusing monochromating optic for redirecting and focusing a monochromatic x-ray beam from an x-ray source towards a first focal point;a second, convergent-beam-to-point focusing optic positioned within, and receiving, the monochromatic x-ray beam, and directing a focused x-ray beam towards a second focal point on the sample; anda detector positioned near the sample to collect radiation from the sample as a result of the focused x-ray beam;wherein the curved monochromating optic produces a beam spot size at the first focal point larger than a beam spot size produced by the second optic at the second focal point, wherein a beam spot size on the sample is thereby reduced using the second optic;wherein the second optic is positioned within the monochromatic x-ray beam, before the first focal point, thereby receiving the monochromatic x-ray beam as it converges toward the first focal point. 2. The x-ray system of claim 1, wherein the curved monochromating optic comprises an optical surface, the optical surface being doubly-curved. 3. The x-ray system of claim 2, wherein the monochromating optic is a doubly curved crystal optic. 4. The x-ray system of claim 2, wherein the monochromating optic is a doubly curved multilayer optic. 5. The x-ray system of claim 2, wherein the second optic is a polycapillary optic. 6. The x-ray system of claim 2, wherein the second optic is a monocapillary optic. 7. The x-ray system of claim 1, wherein the at least one curved monochromating optic comprises a plurality of doubly-curved optical crystals or a plurality of doubly-curved multilayer optics. 8. The x-ray system of claim 1, wherein the second focal point on the sample is positioned between the second optic and the first focal point. 9. The x-ray system of claim 1,wherein the x-ray source comprises an electron-bombardment-type x-ray tube. 10. The x-ray system of claim 9, wherein the x-ray tube is a low power x-ray tube of less than 100 watts. 11. The x-ray system of claim 1, further comprising:a controller for monitoring and/or controlling the position of the sample, the second focal point, and/or the detector to provide an accurate indication of the location of the second focal point on the sample.