Micro X-ray fluorescence (ђµXRF) is an elemental analysis technique which allows for the examination of very small sample areas (typically 10s to 100s of micrometers in diameter). X-ray optics can be used to enhance ђµXRF applications by capturing X-rays from a divergent source over a large angle and to redirect them to an intense, focused beam on the sample surface. Monochromatic ђµXRF (or MђµXRF) is facilitated by doubly curved crystal optics, which direct an intense micron-sized monochromatic X-ray beam to the sample surface for enhanced elemental analysis. MђµXRF provides several advantages over ђµXRF techniques using polychromatic excitation for some applications, including larger working distances and simpler quantitative analysis. More importantly, monochromatic excitation eliminates the X-ray scattering background under the fluorescence peaks and therefore gives very high sensitivity. Typical detection limits at ppb levels for bulk contaminants or femtogram levels can be achieved with this technique.
MђµXRF can be achieved using DCC optics for both EDXRF and WDXRF geometries.