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Olympus Delta Handheld XRF:Quick Start Guide- Computer System
Introduction
The Handheld XRF gun makes contact elemental measurements on section halves and prepared powder mounts. The XRF emits a primary X-Ray beam that bombards the material and excites electrons. The movement of electrons emits secondary fluorescent radiation that is measured in the gun. These energy patterns are characteristic to elements and determine what is present.
The Handheld XRF can be run either independently or through an attached computer monitor. The Innov-x-Delta Advanced PC Software is available on both the gun and computer, and functions the exact same. However, layout and presentation of the software is different.
Point of Interest
The Handheld XRF can run independently. Meaning that measurements can be made using either the gun or the attached computer system. The two systems are independent, and do not communicate to each other when connected. Thus it is important to stay consistent in method choice. Either you use the gun or the computer system, without switching back and forth.
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If using the computer system method: do not un-plug the gun, turn off or exit the program, or turn off the gun prior to exporting data. If you do so, there is a possibility you will lose data.
Getting Started
Turn on the pXRF by pressing the power button for located on top of the machine (Figure 1). When the button turns green the pXRF is powered on.
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This takes you into the main software page.
Setting Parameters
You are now in the main measurement window. First set the Mode to measure in. The gun has a Geochemical and Soil Mode. Each mode has different scanning parameters which preferentially pick up some elements better than others. The gun will remember the chosen mode and does not have to be chosen each time a new measurement is taken or the Gun is turned off/on.
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Note: If the minimum time is set to 1 and the maximum to 30, if the gun determines it has a good profile in less than 30 seconds it will stop actively measuring. If you want to ensure it measures for the full time, set the minimum and maximum time to the same number. Ex: Minimum 30s and Maximum 30s
Making a Measurement
When you turn on the gun for the first time you need to make a 'Cal Check' before any other measurements are taken. Place the gun in its stand as shown in Figure 7.
Figure 7. Handheld XRF Gun resting in stand.
Then click on the blue 'Cal Check' button on the bottom left of the screen (Figure 8). This tells the gun to measure the stainless steel disk located in the stand. This is an internal calibration which ensures the gun is measuring properly.
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This measurement is taken when the gun is turned on and every 10 hours. When a Cal Check is needed the white bar will say 'Perform a Cal Check' and the 'Start' button will gray out and be disabled until the Cal Check is completed (Figure 8).
Naming a Measurement
In the Analysis Window, click the blue button with three dots in the upper left corner (Figure 9). The white bar shows the current run number.
Figure 9. Analysis Window A. Analysis Window Button to display measurement B. Blue button to name measurement.
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This can be done while in the 'Test Information' window or you may click 'Back' to go back to the Analysis page and then click 'Start'.
Record each measurement taken on the paper log sheets provided by the technician.
Exporting Files
The gun writes one file per day that contains all the measurements taken in that 24 hour period. Until that file is exported the measurements are not permanently attached to the file. If files have not been exported do not disconnect the gun, turn off the software, or turn off the gun otherwise those un-exported measurements will be lost.
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