Portable TXRF Spectrometer for High-Sensitivity Trace Element Analysis

The LANScientific TX3800 Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF) Spectrometer is a compact and portable analytical instrument designed for high-sensitivity trace element analysis and heavy metal detection across a wide range of liquid, solid, and suspension samples.  Using advanced Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence technology, the TX3800 achieves ppb-level detection with extremely low background noise.  It enables rapid qualitative and quantitative analysis of trace elements while requiring only very small sample quantities.

The TX3800 can analyze liquids, suspensions, powders, particles, metals and other sample types, making it a versatile solution for environmental monitoring, food safety, materials science, geology, metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, forensic science and scientific research.  With approximately 120-second analysis, minimal sample preparation, one-button operation and portable design, the TX3800 is suitable for both laboratory testing and on-site elemental analysis or mobile laboratory applications.

Key Features & Benefits

High-Sensitivity TXRF Technology

The TX3800 uses Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF) technology to achieve high analytical sensitivity under extremely low background conditions.  The grazing-angle X-ray beam reduces scattering and fluorescence background, helping improve detection of trace elements.

ppb-Level Trace Element Detection

With a concentration range of 0.1 ppb to 100 ppm, the TX3800 is designed for highly sensitive trace element and heavy metal analysis where conventional analytical techniques may not provide the required detection capability.

Rapid 120-Second analysis

The TX3800 can provide analytical results in approximately 120 seconds, supporting rapid screening, routine quality control, and time-sensitive field investigations.

No Complex Digestion Required

The simplified workflow reduces the need for extensive sample preparation.  The TX3800 is designed for rapid analysis without conventional calibration and digestion requirements, helping laboratories save time, reagents and labor.

Multi-Element Analysis

The TX3800 can simultaneously analyze multiple elements, including major heavy metals such as chromium and lead.  The system can be expanded to analyze nearly 30 elements, depending on analytical requirements.

Ultra-Low Sample Consumption

TXRF analysis can work with extremely small sample quantities. Liquid and suspension samples can be analyzed using approximately 1–50 µL, while particles up to 100 µm and powders up to 10 µg can also be analyzed.  This makes the TX3800 particularly useful for precious, scarce, small-volume or difficult-to-obtain samples.

Large-Area SDD Detector

The high-performance large-area silicon drift detector (SDD) improves detection sensitivity and spectral resolution, helping capture weak signals for accurate analysis of complex samples.

Portable and Compact

The compact, lightweight design makes the TX3800 easy to transport and suitable for field testing, mobile laboratories, environmental surveys, and on-site quality control.

Simple One-Button Operation

An intuitive operating system and integrated industrial-grade capacitive display simplify instrument operation, allowing users to perform rapid elemental analysis with minimal training.

Low Background Noise

TXRF’s specialized geometry reduces scattered radiation and fluorescence background, resulting in improved signal-to-noise performance and lower detection limits.

Low Operating Costs

Small sample requirements and simplified preparation reduce consumption of reagents and laboratory consumables.  The TX3800 provides an economical solution for routine trace element testing and heavy metal screening.

Applications

Environmental Monitoring & Pollution Analysis

The TX3800 can detect trace contaminants in soil, water, air-related samples, and other environmental materials, helping laboratories and environmental professionals assess pollution and monitor environmental quality.

Applications include:

• Soil contamination analysis
• Water quality testing
• Heavy metal monitoring
• Environmental pollution assessment
• Industrial contamination screening
• Environmental research
• Regulatory monitoring

Food Safety & Quality Control

The TX3800 supports trace element and heavy metal analysis in food and agricultural products, helping identify potentially harmful elements and support food safety programs.

Suitable samples include:

• Beverages and drinks
• Agricultural products
• Aquatic products
• Processed foods
• Food raw materials
• Other consumer food products

Trace-element analysis can help manufacturers and regulatory organizations maintain food quality, safety and compliance.

Materials Science

The TX3800 can be used for trace-element analysis in alloys, ceramics, glass, powders, metals and advanced materials.

It can support:

• Material characterisation
• Contamination analysis
• Raw material quality control
• Research and development
• Product quality assurance

Semiconductor & Electronics

TXRF analysis is suitable for detecting trace elements and contaminants on silicon wafers and other high-purity materials, supporting surface quality control and semiconductor research.

Geology & Mineral Exploration

The TX3800 can support mineral exploration, geological surveys, sediment analysis, and geochemical research through sensitive elemental analysis of geological materials.

Applications include:

• Mineral analysis
• Geological samples
• Sediments
• Soil and rock samples
• Geochemical research
• Mineral exploration

Metallurgy & Metal Processing

Trace elemental analysis can assist with metal quality control, alloy characterization, contamination detection, and metallurgical research.  The TX3800 provides multi-element analysis for metals and related materials while requiring very small sample quantities.

Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Research

The TX3800 can support trace element and heavy metal analysis in pharmaceutical and biological research.

Applications include:

• Raw material testing
• Pharmaceutical quality control
• Trace-element analysis
• Heavy metal screening
• Biological sample research
• Pharmaceutical process research

Cosmetics & Personal Care Products

The TX3800 can be used to screen cosmetic products for potentially harmful elements including lead, mercury and arsenic, supporting product quality control and regulatory requirements.

Forensic Science

TXRF analysis can support forensic investigations through trace-element analysis of materials such as:

• Hair
• Fibres
• Dust
• Trace materials
• Other evidence samples

The technology can provide additional elemental information for forensic investigations and forensic toxicology research.

Cultural Heritage & Archaeometry

The TX3800 can support non-destructive or minimally invasive elemental analysis for research into cultural heritage materials, historical objects and archaeological samples.

Applications can include:

• Archaeological research
• Art conservation
• Cultural heritage analysis
• Material identification
• Trace-element characterization

Scientific Research

The TX3800 is suitable for universities, research institutes and analytical laboratories requiring high-sensitivity elemental analysis from very small sample quantities.  Its combination of ppb-level detection, multi-element capability, low sample consumption and portability makes it suitable for both laboratory and field-based research.