Publications Repository - Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

The so-called “High-Speed PIXE” is a novel combination of the SLcam® [1,2] and PIXE. The pixel-detector comprising 264 x 264 pixels in combination with a polycapillary 1:1 X-ray optics allows a fast detection of elements over a field of 12 x 12 mm² simultaneously with a lateral resolution below 100 μm.
In order to approach the final goal of quantitative analysis of geological samples, a homogeneous proton irradiation is essential. This can be realised by scanning a finefocused beam electrostatically across the area of interest which also minimises the required over-scan area.
However, the corresponding high proton density favours pile-up effects. In contrast to a classical micro-beam PIXE set-up, charge is collected in all pixels simultaneously for 1 ms. To enable trace element analysis, pile-up effects have to be suppressed calling for lower current densities.
[1] O. Scharf et al., Anal. Chem., Vol. 83, pp. 2532-2538 (2011).
[2] I. Ordavo et al., NIM A, Vol. 654, pp. 250-257 (2011).