Patent ID: 7245699

Claim:
An x-ray optical system for analyzing a sample comprising: an optic which conditions an x-ray beam, the optic defining a near end and a far end and including a first optical element defining a first reflective surface and a second optical element defining a second reflective surface orthogonal to the first reflective surface, the first and second reflective surfaces reflecting x-rays transmitted from an x-ray source to the sample; an adjustable first aperture which adjusts convergence of the x-ray beam by selecting a portion of the x-ray beam delivered by the optic, the first aperture being positioned between the optic and the sample, wherein the first aperture includes a fixed portion and a movable portion that is movable relative to the fixed portion, the first aperture being adjusted by moving the movable portion relative to the fixed portion to change a size or shape of the x-ray beam; and a second aperture which maximizes flux incident on the sample by occluding a portion of the x-ray beam to reduce background radiation around the sample, the second aperture being positioned between the first aperture and the sample.