Devices and systems for improved collection efficiency and resolution of wavelength dispersive spectrometry

1. A device for the collection of X-rays, the device comprising:

at least one multi-reflection reflector cone with a focal axis, the at least one multi-reflection reflector cone having a surface with a first portion oriented at a first angle to the focal axis and a second portion oriented at a second angle to the focal axis wherein the first portion is a first angled surface and the second portion is a second angled surface with a discontinuity therebetween.

2. The device of claim 1 , at least a portion of the multi-reflection reflector cone being curved in longitudinal profile.

3. The device of claim 1 , at least a portion of the multi-reflection reflector cone being parabolic in longitudinal profile.

4. The device of claim 1 , at least a portion of the multi-reflection reflector cone being hyperbolic in longitudinal profile.

5. The device of claim 1 , the multi-reflection reflector cone having a focal length of less than 25 millimeters.

6. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a polycapillary optical element coaxial with the at least one multi-reflection reflector cone.

7. The device of claim 6 , the polycapillary optical element and the multi-reflection reflector cone having the same focal point.

8. The device of claim 6 , the polycapillary optical element and the multi-reflection reflector cone having different focal points.

9. The device of claim 6 , the multi-reflection reflector cone and the polycapillary optical element transmitting X-rays in parallel paths at a rear of the multi-reflection reflector cone and polycapillary optical element.

10. The device of claim 1 , the multi-reflection reflector cone configured to reflect an x-ray originating at a focal point of the multi-reflection reflector cone at least twice.

11. The device of claim 1 , the first angle of the multi-reflection reflector cone being less than 15° from the focal axis.

12. The device of claim 1 , the second angle of the multi-reflection reflector being less than 7.5° from the focal axis.

13. The device of claim 1 , the multi-reflector reflection cone having a length from a rear of the multi-reflector reflection cone to a focal point of less than 120 millimeters.

14. A device for the collection of X-rays, the device comprising:

a detection surface configured to detect incident X-rays;

a diffractor, the diffractor positioned to diffract X-rays toward the detection surface; and

a collimator, the collimator oriented to direct X-rays toward the diffractor including:

at least two multi-reflection reflector cones sharing a focal axis and longitudinally overlapping one another, each of the multi-reflection reflector cones having a surface with a first portion oriented at a first angle to the focal axis and a second portion oriented at a second angle to the focal axis,

a polycapillary optical element coaxial with the at least one multi-reflection reflector cone, and

an aft support supporting the polycapillary optical element and the at least one multi-reflection reflector cone.

15. The device of claim 14 , the collimator having a focal length from a tip of the collimator to a focal point of less than 25 millimeters.

16. The device of claim 14 , the collimator having a length from a rear of the collimator to a focal point of less than 120 millimeters.

17. The device of claim 14 , the collimator including at least three multi-reflection reflector cones.

18. The device of claim 14 , the first angle of the at least one multi-reflection reflector cone being less than 15° and the second angle being less than 7.5°.

19. The device of claim 14 , the collimator having an angle of collection up to 30°.

20. A method of collecting X-rays, the method comprising:

receiving a first incoming X-ray at a first angled surface of a first multi-reflection reflector cone of a collimator;

reflecting the first incoming X-ray at a grazing angle from the first angled surface of the first multi-reflection reflector cone;

reflecting the first incoming X-ray at a grazing angle from a second angled surface of the first multi-reflection reflector cone of the collimator;

diffracting the first incoming X-ray with a diffractor;

detecting the first incoming X-ray with a detection surface;

receiving a second incoming X-ray at a first angled surface of a second multi-reflection reflector cone of the collimator that is coaxial and longitudinally overlapping with the first multi-reflection reflector cone;

reflecting the second incoming X-ray at a grazing angle from the first angled surface of the second multi-reflection reflector cone;

reflecting the second incoming X-ray at a grazing angle from a second angled surface of the second multi-reflection reflector cone of the collimator;

diffracting the second incoming X-ray with the diffractor;

detecting the second incoming X-ray with the detection surface.