Monolithic polycapillary x-ray optics engineered to meet a wide range of applications

Two new applications of monolithic polycapillary x-ray optics were explored. One was to improve the detection sensitivity of microbeam x-ray fluorescence (MXRF) analysis for radioactive samples. One focusing optic was used to focus x-rays onto a small area of the sample, and the second focusing optic was used as a spatial filter to collect xray fluorescence from the area defined by the first optic. The radiation background from the radioisotope in the sample was significantly reduced, and therefore the detection sensitivity for such samples was greatly enhanced. The other application was using a focusing optic to improve performance of position-sensitive-detector (PSD)-based wavelength-dispersive rr-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) analysis. The small, intense excitation beam obtained with a focusing optic greatly increased the count rate of the measurement, thus improving the detection sensitivity of the system. Some new progresses achieved in monolithic polycapillary optics design and manufacturing are also discussed.