Patent ID: 10845491

Abstract:
An energy-resolving x-ray detection system is provided, the system including at least one x-ray optic configured to receive x-rays having an energy bandwidth with a maximum x-ray energy. The at least one x-ray optic has at least one concave surface extending at least partially around and along a longitudinal axis. The at least one concave surface is curved in at least one cross-sectional plane parallel to the longitudinal axis and is configured to direct at least some of the received x-rays into at least one convergent x-ray beam having a minimum beam width in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The minimum beam width is at a location and the at least one concave surface has an x-ray reflectivity less than 30% for x-rays having energies greater than one-third of the maximum x-ray energy. The system further includes at least one energy-dispersive x-ray detector configured to receive at least a portion of the at least one convergent x-ray beam. The at least one energy-dispersive x-ray detector has at least one x-ray absorbing element configured to generate detection signals indicative of energies of x-rays absorbed by the at least one x-ray absorbing element. The at least one x-ray absorbing element is within a range of zero to 40 mm from the location of the minimum beam width.