First X-ray Fluorescence MicroCT Results from Micrometeorites at SSRL

X‐ray fluorescence microCT (computed tomography) is a novel technique that allows non‐destructive determination of the 3D distribution of chemical elements inside a sample. This is especially important in samples for which sectioning is undesirable either due to the risk of contamination or the requirement for further analysis by different characterization techniques. Developments made by third generation synchrotron facilities and laboratory X‐ray focusing systems have made these kinds of measurements more attractive by significantly reducing scan times and beam size. First results from the x‐ray fluorescence microCT experiments performed at SSRL beamline 6‐2 are reported here. Beamline 6‐2 is a 54 pole wiggler that uses a two mirror optical system for focusing the x‐rays onto a virtual source slit which is then reimaged with a set of KB mirrors to a (2 × 4) μm2 beam spot. An energy dispersive fluorescence detector is located in plane at 90 degrees to the incident beam to reduce the scattering contributi...