Use of a Kumakhov lens in analytic instruments

Claim 1

An analytical instrument for analyzing a sample by means of analysis radiation, the analysis radiation being selected from the group consisting of x-ray radiation, gamma-ray radiation, neutron-beam radiation, and ion-beam radiation, the instrument comprising: (a) a radiation source adapted to produce source analysis radiation, the source analysis radiation selected from the group consisting of x-ray radiation, gamma-ray radiation, neutron-beam radiation, and ion-beam radiation; (b) sample-positioning means for positioning a sample in a sample-irradiation position for irradiating the sample with analysis radiation from the source analysis radiation produced by the radiation source; (c) a radiation detector for detecting analysis radiation from the sample, an instrument radiation path being defined from the radiation source to the radiation detector, the sample-irradiation position being located in the radiation path at a position intermediate between the radiation source and the radiation detector; and (d) a multiple-channel, multiple-total-external-reflection lens positioned in the instrument radiation path at a radiation-reorientation position, the multiple-channel, multiple-total-external-reflection lens including at least one polycapillary-bundle element, each polycapillary-bundle element being a substantially unitary structure having a plurality of passageways extending through the polycapillary bundle element in a generally longitudinal direction to define a plurality of capillary-channel passageways, each capillary-channel passageway having substantially smooth inner-surface portions capable of providing total external reflection of analysis radiation incident upon the surface portions at an angle below a critical angle of total external reflection for radiation of the energy of the analysis radiation, each capillary-channel passageway having a longitudinal axis defined extending longitudinally through the capillary channel passageway, each polycapillary-bundle element having an input radiation-capture face and an output radiation-emission face, each capillary-channel passageway of the polycapillary-bundle element opening at a first end through the input radiation-capture face of the polycapillary-bundle element to define a radiation-capture input opening of the passageway, each capillary-channel passageway of the polycapillary-bundle element opening at a second end through the output radiation-emission face of the polycapillary-bundle element to define a radiation-emission output opening of the passageway, each polycapillary-bundle element being shaped so that the longitudinal axis of each of the capillary channel passageways of the element polycapillary bundle extend substantially parallel to a curvilinear path which defines a multiple-reflection total-external-reflection path associated with the passageway, the multiple-reflection total-external-reflection path being defined so that for each capillary-channel passageway analysis radiation incident upon the radiation-capture input opening of the capillary-channel passageway propagating in a direction sufficiently close to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the passageway at the radiation-capture input opening can be channeled through the passageway in a series of reflections by total external reflection from inner wall surfaces of the passageway, the number of such reflections by total external reflection for each passageway being generally greater than two, each polycapillary-bundle element of the multiple-channel, multiple-total-external-reflection lens being shaped to capture at the respective input radiation-capture face, reorient, and emit from the output-emission face analysis radiation so that the multiple-channel, multiple-total-external-reflecting lens captures, reorients, and emits analysis radiation in the radiation path of the analytical instrument.

Claim 29

A method for determining the composition, structure, or other characteristics of a sample in which the sample is irradiated with x rays, gamma rays, neutrons, or a charged particle beam, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a source of said radiation; b) directing the radiation produced by the source at a multiple-channel, multiple-total-external reflection x-ray, gamma-ray, neutron, or charged particle beam controller, comprising at least one essentially unitary multiple-hollow-channel element; c) contacting the sample to be analyzed with the radiation exiting the radiation controller; and d) detecting the radiation emerging from the sample.

Claim 30

A method for determining the composition, structure, or other characteristics of a sample in which the sample is irradiated with x rays, gamma rays, neutrons, or a charged particle beam, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a source of said radiation; b) directing the radiation produced by the source at a multiple-channel, multiple-total-external reflection x-ray, gamma-ray, neutron, or charged particle beam controller, comprising at least one essentially unitary multiple-hollow-channel element; c) contacting the sample to be analyzed with the radiation exiting the radiation controller; and d) detecting the radiation emerging from the sample.