Improved target composition determination method and apparatus

摘要

A target composition determination apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an x-ray emission element configured to concurrently transmit x-ray photons with a plurality of different energy levels at a target, an x-ray detection element configured to receive x-rays which have interacted with the target and to determine the energy levels of each of said received x-rays, said x-ray detection element being configured to generate at least one output signal indicative of the number of x-rays which have interacted with the target and the energy levels determined for each of said x-rays, and a processing element configured to receive said output signal or signals and to indicate the presence of at least one component material within the target using the received detection element signal or signals and a multivariate calibration prepared for the target. The output signal or signals of the x-ray detection element are batched over a pre-selected time period to define the physical resolution of the target composition apparatus when a target is moved relative to the apparatus.