Portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF)

Portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a handheld device that uses X-ray technology to quickly analyze the elemental composition of materials on-site. When the device is aimed at a sample, it emits X-rays that cause the atoms inside the material to fluoresce, or emit their own secondary X-rays. These emitted X-rays reveal which elements are present and in what amounts. This non-destructive and rapid technique is used across industries such as mining, environmental testing, archaeology, and manufacturing to identify materials or detect contamination efficiently.