Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched the Niton XL2 GOLDDTM Series handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyser. The company also introduced the enhanced Niton XL3t GOLDD+ Series, which offers the ultimate performance and features in the product line, it says. Thermo Scientific Niton analysers can quickly determine the elemental composition of sample data at all stages of the exploration, mining, and refining processes. Thermo Scientific geometrically optimised large area drift detector (GOLDD) technology delivers faster measurement times and lower detection limits – as much as 10-times faster than conventional Si-PIN detectors and up to three-times more precise than conventional smaller silicon drift detectors (SDD). This innovative technology also allows light element analysis of magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) without helium purge or vacuum assist. When joined with advanced Niton analyser proprietary electronics, new levels of analytical capabilities can be realised.
“More than 2,000 of our Thermo Scientific Niton XRF analysers are already deployed in the global mining industry. With the launch of the Niton XL2 GOLDD and enhanced Niton XL3t GOLDD+, mining companies of any size can access a range of products that are engineered from the ground up to withstand harsh mining environments, reduce laboratory costs and improve efficiency,” said Bob Wopperer, Director of Marketing and Business Development for Thermo Scientific Niton. “The Niton XL2 GOLDD is the ideal instrument for grade control, concentrator operations and near-mine exploration, while the Niton XL3t GOLDD+ is the analyser of choice for advanced exploration and is a boon to the energy and industrial minerals markets. With the Niton XL3t GOLDD+, you get lab-quality analysis in the field, logging trailer or core room.”
Whether users choose the performance-leading Niton XL2 GOLDD or the Niton XL3t GOLDD+, they will benefit from enhanced capabilities to identify elemental anomalies near the earth’s surface. Both instruments make it easy to perform trend analysis by averaging readings in real-time or by downloading results later to a PC. They deliver fast, accurate elemental analysis of soils/sediments, drill cuttings and drill core and outcrop for intensive exploration programs, whether base metals or precious metals.
- Niton XL2 GOLDD analysers have a 45kV, 100 μA x-ray tube and are lightweight yet ruggedly built to withstand severe environments. Ergonomically designed and featuring daylight readable icons, the Niton XL2 GOLDD incorporates customisable menus for ease of use, multi-language options and a standard analytical range of more than 30 elements from magnesium to uranium. It is particularly suitable for mine mapping, development and grade control where accurate elemental composition data is required across a large number of samples.
- Niton XL3t GOLDD+ analysers with their 50kV, 200 μA x-ray tube deliver fast, accurate analysis for intensive metals exploration, even helping to identify anomalies near the earth’s average crustal abundance. Further, the Niton XL3t GOLDD+ offers the unique, new Thermo Scientific TestAll Geo feature, which automatically determines the correct analytical test mode for rapid analysis of major, minor and trace elements in geological samples.
Handheld Niton XL2 Series and award-winning Niton XL3 Series XRF analysers are purpose-built for taking measurements anywhere, anytime, with accurate results available in seconds, saving significant expense in comparison to traditional laboratory testing. These easy-to-use, nondestructive instruments provide integrated storage of all test results, which are completely tamperproof. Multiple communication options are incorporated, including Bluetooth* wireless and USB communications.
They also come standard with Thermo Scientific Niton Data Transfer (NDT©) software, a suite of data management utilities that allows users to set operator permissions, print certificates of analysis to document results or operate the analyzer remotely from a PC. The NDT file format preserves and protects the data from each sample analysis, ensuring that this data is not unintentionally or intentionally compromised.
Both series of analysers offer users the choice of an out-of-the-box field mapping option or the flexibility of seamless integration with existing commercial mapping packages. Either way, these analysers excel at storing results that are matched to GPS coordinates. Then these results can simply be downloaded to existing GIS and data analysis packages