top of page
Beryllium-free X-ray windows
 

Beryllium-free X-ray windows

Amptek announces the introduction of boron carbide windows (B 4 C) for use with Amptek's FAST SDD® and SiPIN detectors._cc781905-5cde-3194-bb 136bad5cf58d_The product offering is the result of a multi-year effort to provide end users and OEMs with a high performance window alternative to standard beryllium (Be) foils. 

 

Advantages

 

  • Transmission efficiency comparable to Be foils over a wide power range, typical of portable and benchtop XRF applications
    • The results of an instrument will not be greatly affected by switching from Beryllium windows to B4C.
    • It can be used in most places where a beryllium window was previously used. 
  • Non-toxic material provides worry-free handling during installation and use
    • Concerns about potential health hazards from beryllium and exposure are not an issue with these windows. 
  • Less variation in thickness compared to typical Be sheets
    • The beryllium windowing process allows for a large variation in window thickness. The tightly controlled semiconductor manufacturing process in B4C windows produces a much more consistent window thickness._cc781905- 5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_ 
    • Original equipment manufacturers prefer this as they can expect similar transmission from one detector to another, even at lower energies.
    • Allows for better modeling in quantitative calculations if the window thickness more closely matches nominal values.

 

Applications

 

The B 4 C windows have been designed to provide transmissions comparable to the standard de  Be windows⅓ mil y ½ mil. El lanzamiento inicial del producto utiliza una capa B 4  C uniforme de 3 .5 µm thick , self-supporting, no underlying grid required. An aluminum outer jacket provides a grounded surface to help protect the detector from EMI .   

 

Consistent thickness 

 

Compared to the beryllium (Be) window thickness, the B 4 C window thickness is much more consistent due to highly controllable semiconductor manufacturing methods . The result is that B 4 C can provide more predictable transmission behavior, particularly at low energies.

The B 4 C windows have been designed to provide transmissions comparable to the standard de  Be windows⅓ mil y ½ mil. El lanzamiento inicial del producto utiliza una capa B 4  C uniforme de 3 .5 µm thick , self-supporting, no underlying grid required. An aluminum outer jacket provides a grounded surface to help protect the detector from EMI .   

bottom of page