The mobile confocal XRF scanner (CXRF) consists of a spectrometric head equipped with a low power microfocus X-ray tube (30W) with a Mo anode coupled to a highly focusing polycapillary optic. The spot of the beam coming out from the primary X-ray source is 25 microns at 15 keV at a focus distance of 9.7 mm. The detection system is positioned in a 90-degree geometry with respect to the beam direction. This consists of a SDD detector (with 50mm2 active area and <130 eV energy resolution at 5.9 keV) coupled to a secondary polycapillary with a focus equal to 20 microns at 15 keV at 5.4 mm. The intersection of the two foci allows defining the analytical volume with which to perform the XRF scanning of the sample along its thickness (1D elemental stratigraphy) or on the three XYZ directions (3D elemental stratigraphy). The spectroscopic head is mounted on three linear movement axes with an exclusion of 50x50x20cm3. To ensure sufficient counting statistics, measurements are usually made with a dwell-time per pixel in the range 0.1s and 3s, depending on the matrix material being studied. A point analysis and/or a 3D elemental mapping (depending on the application) can be performed on the samples to better elucidate its stratigraphy and its elemental composition along the thickness. Point analyzes typically last 1000s while 3D CXRF mapping several hours. The spatial resolution is in the range of 20-30 microns depending on the detected chemical element. The system is equipped with a central unit (CU) for controlling the operational parameters of the scanner and to operate a dynamic analysis (full deconvolution of the pixel spectra on the fly) providing real-time elemental distribution images to users already during the scanning. The scanning system can operate in both vertical and horizontal geometry.

Image/Gray scale
Image/False color
Dataset
Dataset/3D
Dataset/Data package (images, spectra, other)
Report
Fluorescence depth profile in *.txt
metadata (experimental conditions, comments relative to the point)
data interpretation

Noncontact (no physical contact)
Nondestructive (no permanent damage or alteration)
Noninvasive (no physical alteration)

Small areas of a few centimeters (3D), with the capability to operate in a macroscopic context (up to 50X50X20cm3 - XYZ).
Linear scan along the sample stratigraphy (1D)