METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING AN AREA X-RAY DETECTOR AS A POINT DETECTOR IN AN X-RAY DIFFRACTOMETER
First Claim
1. A method for converting a two-dimensional X-ray diffractometer having an area detector with a two-dimensional detection region to detect X-rays diffracted from a sample into an X-ray diffractometer that uses a point detector, comprising:
- (a) providing a mask fabricated from a radiopaque material having a sufficient size to cover the entire two-dimensional detection region and an opening therein through which X-rays diffracted from the sample can reach the area detector; and
(b) mounting the mask over the detection region of the detector prior to measuring X-rays.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An area detector used in a two-dimensional system is used as a point detector in Bragg-Brentano and other geometries by providing the area detector with a mask the limits the area through which X-rays can enter the detector. Secondary X-ray optics and a monochromator that are part of the diffractometer geometry are attached to the area detector mask to allow a fast and easy switch between the two-dimensional detector mode and the point detector mode. A concave detector mask is used with a spherical detector in order to reduce the secondary beam path and increase detector efficiency and the opening in the detector mask can be offset from the mask center to achieve high 2θ angle measurements. Single channel bypath electronics are used to disregard the dimensional position of each X-ray count to increase the efficiency and speed of the system.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for converting a two-dimensional X-ray diffractometer having an area detector with a two-dimensional detection region to detect X-rays diffracted from a sample into an X-ray diffractometer that uses a point detector, comprising:
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(a) providing a mask fabricated from a radiopaque material having a sufficient size to cover the entire two-dimensional detection region and an opening therein through which X-rays diffracted from the sample can reach the area detector; and (b) mounting the mask over the detection region of the detector prior to measuring X-rays. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for converting a two-dimensional X-ray diffractometer having an area detector with a two-dimensional detection region to detect X-rays diffracted from a sample into an X-ray diffractometer that uses a point detector, comprising:
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a mask fabricated from a radiopaque material having a sufficient size to cover the entire two-dimensional detection region and an opening therein through which X-rays diffracted from the sample can reach the area detector; and at least one removable fastener for mounting the mask over the detection region of the detector prior to measuring X-rays. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification