The difference between China's X-ray instrument level and foreign deposits

The foreign technology in X-ray diffractometers has developed rapidly. Mainly in the new detector, modularization, analysis software enhancements, advanced X-ray optics and other aspects. The output of quartz crystal slices in China amounts to several billion slices, accounting for a large part of the world's production. However, due to the low quality of the X-ray crystal orientation instrument used, the price is very low. Private enterprises are now developing high-grade directional instruments, but their funds are insufficient and progress is not fast enough.

X-ray diffractometer

The foreign technology in X-ray diffractometers has developed rapidly. Mainly in the new detector, modularization, analysis software enhancements, advanced X-ray optics and other aspects.

At present, diffractometer manufacturers abroad have developed new high-performance detectors to ensure the competitive position in the high-end instrument market. Some companies introduce a new instrument every two years. The advantage of the new high-performance detector is that it can increase the test efficiency several times to hundreds of times, or improve the signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity, or obtain special diffraction information that was difficult to obtain in the past.

Modularization and multi-functionalization make it possible to change functions with simple switching operations, thereby making the versatility of a machine a reality. Mechanical precision and control indicators have also been greatly improved.

Whether it is a single crystal or polycrystal diffractometer, its analysis software features and performance are continuously improving, such as single crystal structure analysis algorithm, polycrystalline full spectrum fitting structure optimization algorithm, phase retrieval algorithm, reflectivity algorithm, etc. A substantial increase.

Bruker AXS' VANTEC(TM)-2000 detector for X-ray diffractometers uses patented MikroGap(TM) technology, allowing the effective area to dramatically increase to 14 x 14 cm spatial resolution with a dynamic range of 108 The VANTEC-2000 integrates the advantages of both the gas detector and the solid-state detector, and has a breakthrough in durability, resolution, sensitivity, and dynamic range. It is a true quasi-noise detector.

The SmartLabTM X-ray Diffraction System introduced by Japan Science is the world's first XRD system that can perform all X-ray diffraction tests on a fully automated system. The instrument has unique GuidanceTM intelligent software and patented CrossBeam OpticalTM technology. It can complete a series of cutting-edge tests that are critical for cutting-edge materials research, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray reflection (XRR), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).

China's production of XD-2/XD-3 polycrystalline X-ray diffractometer, repeatability has been better than 0.0006o.

2. X-ray fluorescence analyzer

In the X-ray fluorescence analyzer, the progress of wavelength dispersion analysis mainly analyzes the improvement of software performance, ie, the development of advanced sub-spectral algorithms and the use of basic parameter methods, etc., are conducive to the qualitative and quantitative analysis of light elements, and others do not seem to be particularly large. progress. Energy spectrum analyzers have made important advances in detectors and nuclear electronics. For example, Si-PIN detectors and SDD detectors have been put on the market. It has broken some of the limitations of past performance of lithium drift silicon detectors, making detection dynamics. The range has been greatly increased, so that the detection sensitivity has been improved, the manufacturing cost has also been greatly reduced, and the use volume has been greatly reduced. Total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis is a noteworthy direction. It is characterized by its sensitivity up to ppb. At the same time, TXRF technology inherits the superiority of the EXRF method, and its quantitative analysis performance also has advantages.

Bruker AXS' XFlash(R) QUAD detector is the core component of the QUANTAX(TM) QUAD Ultra-High-Sensitivity Spectrometer (EDS) and is the world’s first 4-channel 40mm silicon drift detector for EDS. .

3. X-ray crystal orientation

The X-ray crystal orientation instrument is an instrument for producing a crystal oscillator.

Its orientation accuracy determines the quality and price of nearly 10 billion wafers produced and screened each year. The difference between low and high prices is more than 10 times. The progress of foreign countries is also focused on its accuracy, using laser rapid vibration measurement correction techniques.
4. Development and production of X-ray meters in China

TXRF has been widely used in the world. The latest TXRF9 dual-channel total reflection X-ray fluorescence analyzer in China can analyze all the elements from 11Na to 92U, and can analyze nearly 30 elements at a time.

There is no single crystal diffractometer product in China, but there are 4 manufacturers producing polycrystalline (powder) diffractometers, and the annual sales volume has exceeded 30 units. However, there is a big difference in quality and performance from foreign manufacturers. For example, there are no new detectors, some technical indicators are poor, there are too few functional accessories, and the software is not advanced enough. Mainly rely on low prices to enter the low-end market. Although work on some new technologies has also begun, progress has been slow. The main problems are threefold: less investment; failure to quickly integrate advanced domestic results; and production units lacking high-end personnel who truly understand X-ray diffraction.

In the field of X-ray fluorescence analyzers, there is currently no spectrometer available in the market. However, it has been able to produce energy spectrum analyzers with an annual output of several hundred units and a small amount of exports. The main problem is that the key technical components of the detectors are imported.

China has X-ray crystal orientation products. In the domestic market, it accounts for a major portion of the market. The problem is that the accuracy is not high enough. The output of quartz crystal slices in China amounts to several billion slices, accounting for a large part of the world's production. However, due to the low quality of the X-ray crystal orientation instrument used, the price is very low. Private enterprises are now developing high-grade directional instruments, but their funds are insufficient and progress is not fast enough.