X-ray fluorescence spectrometer teardown

[mikeselectricstuff]

Video of a more modern, but very similar version :

[han]

Awesome

[SeanB]

Very nice Mike. A use for that detector is to connect it to an ADC and use it to count the background radiation in the shop, and bin the values so you can get an idea of what particles are in the area. Yoy probably will be able to discriminate against the assorted energies quite well and divide into cosmic rays, local alpha particles and possibly even find neutrino decay in there as well.

[mikeselectricstuff]

Some bits from it on ebay :

ttp://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/xy-steppertable-proportional-counter-tube-from-x-ray-fluorescence-spectrometer/

[LapTop006]

That X-Y table would be a lovely base for a 3D printer (or mini-router as you suggested), shame the cost to "pick up" would require several thousand pounds in flights.

[amyk]

Interesting. The datasheet for the tube says "filled with dielectric oil", not "silicone jelly".

Careful with running that x-ray tube unshielded...