Masao Horiba Awards "X-ray Analysis Technology"

Author: Atsushi Horiba; Chairman, President & CEO, HORIBA, Ltd.

Author: Yasuko Terada; Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute – X-ray fluorescence analysis that directly detects K-lines of heavy metal elements was conducted using high energy X-ray of 100 keV or more obtained from SPring-8. The analysis showed that it could detect rare earth elements at ppm level and some heavy metal elements such as tungsten. As a result of applying this method to various fields, it was found that the method was very useful as a means of identification using heavy metals in glass or ceramic shards as the indicators. Moreover, the X-ray focusing element was designed and developed in an effort to realize microbeam in the unprecedented field of high-energy X-ray region, and it was demonstrated that mocrobeams about 1 μm could be obtained in the 30 to 100 keV regions with a total reflection mirror.

Author: Hisashi Hayashi; Japan Women’s University – We developed a method of determining the X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectrum through high accuracy measurement of resonant inelastic X-ray scattering, without any limits on resolution of the inner shell lifetime broadening. From this method, we can derive various new types of XAFS, including the valence selective XAFS and the spin selective XAFS (both without any limits of lifetime broadening). The method shows a possibility of developing into a powerful tool to monitor various condition changes for general functional materials.

Author: Koen Janssens; University of Antwerp – X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) is a widely applied routine method for inorganic analysis of a variety of materials; compact ED-XRF equipment with microscopic analysis capabilities (μ-XRF) is available in different forms. Raman Spectroscopy (RS) is a highly specific method of molecular analysis that has shown itself to be admirably suitable for identification of many inorganic and organic compounds. Also Raman instruments are becoming available under the form of increasingly compact apparatus. In order to combine the above-two spectroscopic methods into one compact combined XRF/Raman instruments, an irradiation/detection geometry was designed that allows to perform simultaneous XRF and Raman measurements at the same location on the surface of a sample. An illustrative example, highlitening the usefulness of the apparatus for pigment-related investigations in the cultural heritage sector is described.

Author: Masami Ando; Tokyo University of Science – We are now developing a system which allows the visualization of the structure and tissue associated with breast cancer, which is difficult to achieve with conventional mammography, by utilizing X-ray refraction. This system is expected to achieve an approximately 1000-fold higher contrast and high spatial resolution at low dose; compared to techniques by use of X-ray absorption. Monochromatic and plane wave X-rays, produced by the diffraction of asymmetric reflection, are applied to the sample, and, corresponding to calcification and tissue structure, X-rays, which is going through slight refraction, are isolated from straight X-rays with an angle analysis plate. With a method called the "X-ray dark field method" which uses a tramsmission type angle analysis plate, transfer imaging created by refractive X-rays alone can be obtained, making use of the feature that straight X-rays do not go through tha angle analysis plate of a certain thickness. Furthermore, a mathematical algorithm concerning refraction contrast was developed to get CT images, and we obtained world's first 3D images of noninvasive ductual carcinoma, etc., based on the refraction principle.

Author: Yohichi Gohshi; University of Tsukuba – Some aspects of research in a company, a university and a public research institute vary widely from each other, while there are other aspects that are mostly common. In this lecture, the author presents his experience as a researcher in a company, a university and a public research institute and reflects on problems encounterd in each of these settings. In his reflection, basic viewpoints in common with these different settings are presented as three elements of invention or discovery. By taking the invention of ICP as an example, 10 stages involved in the creation of a new analysis method are also discussed.

Author: Kazuo Taniguchi; Osaka Electro-Communication University – X-rays have attracted a lot of attention as a form of electromagnetic radiation that enable us to see objects through materials. And they are also a great contributor to clacification of physical phenomena. In the field of analysis, X-rays have drawn attention from their initial stage as a method of non-destructive simultaneous anaysis. Scientific measurement using X-rays is supported by three elemental technologies; generation of X-rays, spectroscopy and detection. Recent years, we have seen further advancement in those technologies. I am going to explain the present status and the future of advanced scientific measurement obtained by combinations with those evolving elemental technologies.

Author: Izumi Nakai; Tokyo University of Science – By using fluorescent X-ray, we can read out the past information hidden in a material. This lecture explained X-ray fluorescent analysis using synchrotron radiation by referring to the identification for the Wakayama Poisoned Curry Murder Case, presumption of origins of ceramic ware, and research on plants that absorb and accumulate toxic arsenic from the environment, as examples.

Author: Jun Kawai; Kyoto University – Using a small X-ray tube, X-ray fluorescence analysis can achieve a high seneitivity through such means as appropriate geometrical arrangement, pretreatment and total reflection. This article outlines relevant X-ray element technologies, with a focus on high-sensitivity small-size X-ray fluorescence analysis that is being developed by a researchers' team including the author. This method permits an analysis accuracy of 0.1 ppm Cr using a pyroelectric crystal X-ray source. And it has achieved a minimum determination limit of 3 × 10^13 (in terms of the absolute number of atoms) through the use of a 1.5 W air-cooled miniature X-ray tube for total reflection X-ray fluorescence.

Author: Hiromoto Nakazawa; National Institute for Materials Science – XGT (X-ray Guide Tube) has history as already 25 years passed since its first presentation. Although the idea to install a long XGT in the second generation photon factory (PF) was rejected, the technology of XGT won a degree of success in the form of HORIBA's X-ray analytical microscope XGT series partly thanks to a number of luck. Luck is indispensable to win Nobel Prize or victory in high school baseball at Koshien, but what else do we need to get a success? In this report, I am writing about the circumstances, basic ideas, the process of development and how I shifted my focus to research on the theory on the origin of life after XGT so as to provide you some food for thought.

Author: George J. Havrilla; Los Alamos National Laboratory – Confocal micro X-ray fluorescence is a new instrumental method for materials characterization. In a confocal geometry, the excitation and detection regions are bound by the same foci and therefore, share the same focal spot. This confocal arrangement is achieved by using two monolithic polycapillaries; one focuces the x-rays to a focal spot and the second optic is oriented on the dector side for emission collection from the focal spot. An advantage of the confocal geometry is the capanility of scanning the sampling volume in the x, y, or z direction and subsequently producing a 3D elemental distribution. In this presentation, the performance of the confocal micro X-ray fluorescence microscope and its application capabilities are determined.

Author: Tetsuo Sasaguchi; Cosmo Techno Yokkaichi Co., Ltd. – Oil refineries are always required, as social duties, to strictly ensure "safety" and appropriately manage "environment, health and quality" and "stable supply" and, as economic duties, to seek and manage "productivity." The mission of the laboratory of the oil refinery is to support good management, and it is essential for the laboratory to select and manage appropriate testing and analyzing equipments in order to fulfill the mission. This article explains from what viewpoints the laboratories select testing and analyzing equipments and contains some of my own experiences. Since a typical laboratory owns quite a large variety of testing and analyzing equipments, the "sulphur analyzer (total sulphur content)" is taken up as an example for the purpose of this article.

Author: Sumito Ohzawa; HORIBA, Ltd. – X-rays entering a smooth surface such as glass at an extremely low angle reflect while maintaining the original strength (total reflection). An X-ray light-collecting device that produces a high-intensity X-ray microbeam using this phenomenon of X-ray total reflection is the X-ray guide tube. This article compares the X-ray guide tube with other X-ray light-collecting devices and outlines the process of X-ray guide tube development and the effects of the tube.

Author: Atsushi Bando; HORIBA, Ltd. – Under recent circumstances where attention to the environment is required in every field, there is an increasing need for analysis of hazardous substances included in products such as electrical and electronic equipment, and automobiles, as triggered by the enforcement of the RoHS Directive of the European Union (EU). As part of this trend, the X-ray fluorescence analyzer (XRF) plays an important role as a screening apparatus for confirmation of absence of hazardous substances in parts and materials. In this article, we will introduce the outline of RoHS Directive and the actuality of screening analysis using XGT-WR series that were developed by HORIBA for analysis of hazardous substances.

Author: Yoshiaki Nakata; HORIBA, Ltd.; Masaru Inohara; HORIBA, Ltd. – One of the tools to measure the surface temperature of an object without contact is the radiation thermometer that measures the dose of infrared rays emitted from the surface of the object. HORIBA's radiation thermometer, available in various types to meet a wide range of applications, were demanded to improve their response time in applications to measurement of moving objects or observation of rapid temperature changes. The responce time of the radiation thermometer is dependent on the response time of the infrared sensor installed inside the thermometer. We developed, as an infrared sensor, the thermopile with a unique heat sensing element using the MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology, which mainly uses a silicon semiconductor processing technique to produce a microstructure. Further, we optimized the sensor structure, optical system and signal processing system and successfully realized the fastest response time as a radiation thermometer that can measure temperatures below the room temperature.

In memory of the 50th anniversary after the foundation of HORIBA, Ltd., the "Masao Horiba Awards" was established after the founder's name. In 2006, the theme for the 3rd Masao Horiba Awards was "X-ray analysis", and among many excellent candidates, this prize was awarded to 3 people, and a special award was awarded to 1 person. The purpose of the 2006 Masao Horiba Awards, the circumstances from acceptance of candidates to evaluation, and the outline of the award ceremony are reported.