Design and testing of a prototype multilayer analyzer X-ray fluorescence detector

It is a concern that multielement solid state detectors, commonly used for x-ray fluorescence detection on dilute systems, will not be optimal with th e third generation sources due to their count rate limitations and the high photon flux from the source. As an alternative, we are developing energy-r esolving x-ray fluorescence detectors using synthetic multilayers. In this paper, we present the design and testing of a prototype multilayer array de tector that consists of three elements of graded multilayers. The tests sho w that the elements can be accurately aligned relative to each other, and t he instrument can be easily tuned to other fluorescence energies once align ed. A background rejection rate of 40-50 times has been achieved with a thr oughput of 28-30 percent.