X-Ray Fluorescence Surface-Contamination Detector

Abstract

X-ray spectrum of contaminating element reveals presence. Proposed x-ray fluorescence spectrometer used to detect thin layer of Conoco HD-2 (or equivalent) grease on D6-ac steel. Source-and-detector assembly mounted on remote manipulator with other contamination-detecting equipment and scanned across surface of specimen. Output of detector fed through coaxial cable to standard pulse-height-analyzing equipment and processed further by small computer to obtain x-ray energy spectrum.