Contents 2 Light Detectors

In Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis (TXRF), the sutface of a solid specimen is exposed to an X-ray beam in grazing geometry. The angle of incidence is kept below the critical angle for total reflection, which is determined by the electron density in the specimen surface layer, and is on the order of mrad. With total reflection, only a few nm of the surface layer are penetrated by the X rays, and the surface is excited to emit characteristic X-ray fluorescence radiation. The energy spectrum recorded by the detector contains quantitative information about the elemental composition and, especially, the trace impurity content of the surface, e.g., semiconductor wafers. TXRF requires a specular surface of the specimen with regard to the primary X-ray light. 

A miniaturized Fourier transform spectrometer for near-infrared measurements (FTIR, 2500-8330 nm) was developed at the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe [120], Near-infrared measurements give information, for example, about the oil, water and protein content of liquids or solids. The dimensions of the detector chip are 11.5 x 9.4 mm, the device is essentially a miniaturized Michelson interferometer and it consists of a micro optical bench with beamsplitter, ball lenses, mirrors and the detector chip. The light beam is coupled in via a glass-fiber and an electromagnetic actuator. The signal is derived from the signal response of the detector by Fourier transformation. 

The beam-breaker technique is useful for detecting large and abrasive materials such as coal, minerals, wood chips, and vegetable pulp. It is also useful for detecting very light materials such as dry sawdust and powdered materials in fluidized beds. This technique can also be considered for use on difficult-to-handle liquids that are viscous, toxic, or hazardous because the detector is isolated from the vessel contents. 

As has been discussed, the combination of SEC and molar-mass-sensitive detectors is a powerful tool for the analysis of complex polymers. However, it is important to distinguish between claimed versus actual capabilities and between potential expectations and demonstrated performances. Tables 1 and 2, taken from a critical review of different techniques, summarize the informational content and additional details of SEC-light scattering and SEC-viscometry coupling... 

This method uses the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipment for sample handhng and requires molar mass sensitive detectors (such as light scattering and/or viscometry) to obtain a mean property values from each detector (Mw and/or IV, respectively). The FIA result from a concentration detector yields polymer content in a sample, which can also be determined with other well-established methods. The FIA approach requires expensive and well-maintained equipment, and will not save much time or solvent furthermore, no distribution information is available. 

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