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When sufficient energy light waves (x-ray or photon) are absorbed by an atom, the inner shell electrons are excited to an outer shell or removed completely. The empty inner shell that remains is ‘filled’ by electrons from an outer shell of the atom.   The difference in energies between the two shells involved is excess energy; which when generated in this process is emitted as radiation (fluorescence).

 

In a given element the energy difference between two specific orbital shells is characteristic of that element and is always the same – therefore, the emitted light wave will always have the same energy. By determining the energy emitted by a particular sample Quickshot XRF analyzers are able to identify the element involved.

 

 

QSX Instruments Inc focuses on utilizing Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) Technology to accurately and non-destructively determine elements present in a given sample. This analytical process was developed for commercial use in the 1950’s and the Quickshot XRF instrument line has been developed with the latest technology for the most cost efficient approach.

 

Other methods of elemental analysis or chemical characterization (atomic absorption, inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy, wavelength dispersive XRF) are either destructive, require massive units, are limited in function or are too expensive when compared to the energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence model. The benefits of EDXRF in comparison make it the preferred method for a variety of application needs.

 

Quickshot XRF energy dispersive systems have many components but there are a few major critical  parts in the process. First, an x-ray source known as an x-ray tube (generally 50-60kV, 50-300W) emits an x-ray beam into the sample being analyzed. After this beam excites and displaces electrons the resulting energy that is characteristic to the element is emitted as a wavelength and collected by another major component, the detector tube (or detection system). The type of detector tube varies in each model of Quickshot XRF and each has different benefits that suite a particular application need.  The handheld analyzer system (QSX-HH) utilizes micro-components but the same basic principle applies.

 

The major components utilized are important for an instrument’s daily performance (accuracy and repeatability of results) and the long-term life of the instrument. Quickshot XRF's development team selected the highest quality components so that top performing instruments can be provided to our customers.

EDXRF can be used for a tremendous variety of applications. Depending on the individual model they can non-destructively measure from Sodium (Na) to Uranium (U) in powder, liquid or solid samples. Both portable and desktop x-ray units perform hazardous substance detection (RoHS, WEEE, Prop-65, etc), geological/mineral testing, gold karat and precious metal analysis, coating thickness measurements and much more.  Based on its versatility, non-destructive method and cost-efficiency EDXRF has become an important tool in analytical laboratories - QSX Instruments is constantly working to improve on each of those levels and develop user-friendly software that makes the analyzer line simple and effective.

     Consider QSX for the price...
     Choose us for the performance!

Contact Quickshot XRF to discuss your testing interest and how ED-XRF may be the solution.

Additional Reading:
          XRF-Blog - an overview of various detection systems