Support structure and highly aligned monochromating x-ray optics for x-ray analysis engines and analyzers

Abstract

A support structure having multiple highly aligned curved x-ray optics, the support structure having multiple internal partially or fully concentric surfaces upon which said optics are mounted, thereby aligning said optics along a central optical axis thereof and therefore to a source, sample, and/or detector in combination with which the support structure is useable. The surfaces may be nested around the central optical axis; and the support structure may divided longitudinally into sections around the central optical axis by walls. At least one of the x-ray optics comprises a curved diffracting optic, for receiving a diverging x-ray beam and focusing the beam to a focal area, in one embodiment a focusing monochromating optic. In an improved embodiment, an optic comprises a single layer, plastically deformed, LiF optic.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A support structure having multiple highly aligned curved x-ray optics, the support structure having multiple internal partially or fully concentric surfaces upon which said optics are mounted, thereby aligning said optics along a central optical axis thereof and therefore to a source, sample, and/or detector in combination with which the support structure is useable. 
     
     
         2 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the surfaces are nested around the central optical axis. 
     
     
         3 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is divided longitudinally into sections around the central optical axis. 
     
     
         4 . The support structure of  claim 3 , wherein the sections are divided by walls running parallel to the central axis. 
     
     
         5 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the x-ray optics comprises a curved diffracting optic, for receiving a diverging x-ray beam and focusing the beam to a focal area. 
     
     
         6 . The support structure of  claim 5 , wherein the x-ray optic is a focusing monochromating optic. 
     
     
         7 . The support structure of  claim 5 , wherein the x-ray optic is a doubly-curved crystal optic, or HOPG optic, or multi-layer optic. 
     
     
         8 . The support structure of  claim 5 , wherein the optic comprises a single layer, plastically deformed, LiF optic. 
     
     
         9 . The support structure of  claim 5 , wherein the optic comprises multiple segments, each segment bent into a curved shape, and arranged into a curved pattern within the support structure. 
     
     
         10 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein a first x-ray optic monochromates first energy from a source of x-rays and a second optic monochromates a second energy or bremsstrahlung energy from the source of x-rays. 
     
     
         11 . A curved, monochromating x-ray optic comprising a single layer of material, plastically deformed into a shape for receiving and redirecting x-ray energy. 
     
     
         12 . The optic of  claim 11 , wherein the material is LiF. 
     
     
         13 . The optic of  claim 11 , wherein the optic is singly curved. 
     
     
         14 . The optic of  claim 11 , wherein the optic is doubly curved. 
     
     
         15 . A method of forming a monochromating x-ray optic, comprising heating a single layer of material and bending the layer while heated such that the layer retains its bent shape after cooling. 
     
     
         16 . The optic of  claim 15 , wherein the material is LiF. 
     
     
         17 . The optic of  claim 15 , wherein the optic is singly curved. 
     
     
         18 . The optic of  claim 15 , wherein the optic is doubly curved.