Home > Product Lines >
Quartz XOne
- Spectrum Analysis
- Mapping & Linescans
- Hitachi S-2600/XOne Integration
Quartz XOne : Fully Digital Solutions for X-Ray microanalysis
Quartz XOne is a fully digital, 32-bit, Windows® XP-based EDX system available as both a complete system and as a retrofit which makes use of your existing x-ray detector.
TrueSpectrum : The Quartz Pulse Processor
Custom-designed by Quartz, the TrueSpectrum pulse processor, offers extraordinary performance. And it does this with an unprecedented level of integration. All of Quartz XOne electronics, which include the pulse processor, preamplifier power supplies, detector bias supply and liquid nitrogen monitor, are contained on PCI-bus device that plugs directly into the analysis computer. All of the electronics, except for a small buffer amplifier required with some detectors, are completely contained within the computer. The Quartz system uses a high-speed analog-to-digital converter coupled to two digital signal processors to sample and analyze the detector pre-amp output signal. Quartz XOne connects directly to the detector pre-amp output.
Because Quartz uses fully digital pulse analysis, there are no discrete time constants. This means that the system always optimizes the resolution for the count rate you choose. Operate anywhere between 1,000 cps for best resolution or 30,000 cps or higher for very rapid material identification and analysis. Digital pulse processing also means improved throughput. At a given count rate, the dead time could be as much as 75% lower than with an analog pulse processor.
Revolutionary Software
The analysis software is designed to guide the user through each step of the data acquisition and analysis process. The user interface displays a series of “tabs” underneath the spectrum. These tabs provide access to the Acquisition, Identification, Quantification and Advanced Fit functions. The user can move back and forth among the tabs, making it easy to adjust parameters to arrive at the optimum solution.
Designed with productivity in mind
Beginners are guided through the analysis process step-by-step while experienced analysts will find Quartz XOne easy to learn, since all the functions are laid out in front of the user. Any spectrum you have analyzed and saved becomes a template for later automatic analysis.
Spectrum zooming/scrolling, auto-scaling and default display region, automatic peak labeling and KLM markers are all included. A mouse-driven cursor gives all possible element peaks at any location.
Automatic peak identification is always performed, just “click-and-drag” the elements you wish to analyze. An automatic fit routine lets you see the relative peak size and shape to check your element list. Multiple spectra can be left open on XOne’s unique interface. The Windows® 2000 multitasking environment allows the processing of one spectrum while another is being acquired. Multiple spectra can be compared in “tile-and-fit” mode.
Sophisticated analysis
Samples can be analyzed by matrix-correction (ZAF and PRZ), stoichiometry, fixed concentration and by difference. The spectrum fitting and matrix-correction software was developed completely in-house by Quartz to provide unmatched accuracy, even with difficult geological samples.
For peak overlaps and difficult deconvolutions, an advanced, nonlinear fit is performed. Background regions are automatic and user-settable, with detailed control possible of the relationship between each element and x-ray line.
Analysis Results
Quartz PCI Integration
Users of our Quartz PCI Image Acquisition Systems will find that Quartz XOne is very similar. Spectra can be annotated using the drawing tools, they can be incorporated into the PCI database and they can be accessed with the Image Manager just like PCI images. Job, Session and Sample tracking can be applied to spectra.
Network Ready
Because it was written from the ground up for Windows® 2000, it's easy to connect Quartz XOne to your network. Once connected, you can access your results throughout your organization. Spectra can be viewed and off-line analyses can be performed with the XOne viewer software. This software can even be used to view EMSA format spectra from other manufacturers equipment.
Retrofit Applications
If your existing detector is in good shape, you can simply replace the pulse processing electronics and the analysis computer of your existing x-ray equipment with Quartz's state-of-the-art, PC-based, digital pulse processing and analysis system. Unlike most retrofit systems, which connect to the existing analog pulse processor, Quartz X-ray completely replaces the pulse processor and all power supplies with modern, reliable, digital electronics. Interface modules are available to connect to existing detectors from most of the major manufacturers. Replacing your old electronics can improve your resolution. In many cases, we have observed a 5eV to 10 eV improvement in the FWHM resolution at the Mn Ka line at 1,000 cps with no change to the detector or pre-amp.
If you should eventually decide to replace your detector, rest assured that the Quartz X-ray Analyzer will get the best resolution and light element performance out of even the most modern detectors.
See below to find out how Quartz XOne can improve the RELIABILITY, EASE-of-USE, PERFORMANCE, OUTPUT QUALITY and PRODUCTIVITY of your EDX system.
Improve the Appearance of Your Spectra in More Ways than One
The following two spectra were acquired within minutes of each other using exactly the same late 1980’s light element detector under the same operating conditions. The first was produced by the analog analyzer that came with the detector. The second was produced by Quartz XOne.
Original Equipment Analyzer — Calcium Carbonate Specimen
The first thing you'll notice is that the presentation just looks bad — a dot matrix printer doesn't cut it anymore. You shouldn't be sending out reports that look like this.
Quartz XOne — Calcium Carbonate Specimen / Retrofit Detector
The presentation certainly looks better — it’s everything you’d expect from a modern Windows application. But take a closer look. By replacing the old electronics, both the light element sensitivity and the resolution have been dramatically improved. It’s true — your present detector is probably much better than the electronics it's attached to.
Your detector can probably also sustain count rates you've never used before. Higher count rates and lower dead time increase throughput.
