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The button will illuminate green when on, as shown below in Figure 6. 
Figure 6. pXRF turned on
The following step is only applicable at this stage if controlling the pXRF through the computer. If choosing to use the pXRF alone move on to 'Discrete Samples'. The pXRF interface users will use the laptop during the 'Export Files' Section later on.
Open the dedicated pXRF laptop and login to the computer with the following:
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Important! Do not click the Import to PC button!
The Import to PC button overwrites the saved method on the PC with the method stored on the pXRF unit. This is likely to be factory settings and not the methods needed for the analysis, so it is a very undesirable action.
Once the Import Data Only button has been clicked, the Start button will become active after a brief pause to sync the instrument with the software. Click Start. The login screen appears (Figure 19). Enter the following information:
- User Name: innovx
- Password: 1776
Figure 19. Login screen. Login button outlined in
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red
The main measurement window then pops up.
Performing a Cal Check
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Before
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any
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measurements
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are
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taken,
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a
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Cal
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Check
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needs
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to
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be
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performed.
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A
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Cal
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Check
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is
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an
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internal
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calibration
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check
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in
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which
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the
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analyzer
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measures
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a
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particular
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stainless
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steel
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alloy
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to
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ensure
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the
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unit
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is
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measuring
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properly.
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A
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calibration
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check
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is
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required
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when
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the
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gun
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is
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turned
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on
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and
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every
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10
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hours
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thereafter.
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The
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information
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bar
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indicates
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when
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a
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Cal
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Check
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is
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needed
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by
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displaying
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“Perform a
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Cal
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Check” as
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shown
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in
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Figure
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20,
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arrow
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B,
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below.
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It
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is
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not
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possible
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to
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proceed
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until
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the
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check
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is
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done.
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Place
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the
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gun
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in
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its
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docking
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station.
Note: When using the Flex Stand, it is possible to perform the Cal Check by simply placing a stainless steel disk on the instrument nose and closing the lid of the Flex Stand. An extra stainless steel disk can be found in the pXRF supplies
Figure 20. Performing a Calibration Check. A. CalCheck Button B. Indicator Bar C. Disabled ‘Start’ button
Click the Cal Check button located on the bottom left as shown in Figure 20, arrow A. The instrument will measure the stainless steel disk and check the peaks and their ratios to ensure that it’s getting the expected results. The Start [analytical measurement] button will remain grayed-out and disabled until the pXRFpasses the CalCheck. If the analyzer fails a Cal Check please refer to the ‘CalCheck Fails’ Section in Troubleshooting.
Setting Parameters
Parameters that require setting or editing include: mode and measuring time.
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Choose either the Geochemical or the Soil Mode; each one has specific scanning parameters, and preferentially scans certain elements. Discuss with scientists which mode is preferred.
Note: Once a mode is selected, it does not have to be re-chosen before each measurement or when the gun is turned on/off.
Click on Mode, located top right in Figure 21 (arrow A). On the left hand panel, you can choose between Geochemistry and Soil modes (Fig. 21, B). Click on each to see the elements scanned and the beam conditions used in each mode.
Figure 21. Mode window. A. 'Mode' tab B. Measuring Mode options
Selecting Measuring Time
Figure 22. Innov-X Set Up Screen. A. Set Up tab B. Test Condition button C. Test Time area D. Save button
Establish Establish the measuring time for each beam. To access this, click the Set Up button at the top of the screen as shown in Figure 22, arrow A, below. On the left hand panel, click Test Condition. This will show the minimum (Beam # Min) and maximum (Beam # Max) time currently set for each beam. Adjust the settings as desired in seconds and click Save.
Figure 22. Innov-X Set Up Screen. A. Set Up tab B. Test Condition button C. Test Time area D. Save button
The behavior of the Test Time settings is as follows. If the minimum time is set to 1 s and the maximum time is set to 30 s (as shown in Fig. 22), the pXRF will scan until it determines that it has a good profile (via manufacturer-defined quality conditions) and stop measuring before it gets to 30 s. However, even if the pXRF has not reached a "good profile," it will stop at the maximum time.
If the user wants to ensure the pXRF measures for the same time on each measurement, set the minimum and maximum time to the same number (e.g., Beam 1 Min = 30, Beam 1 Max = 30). We do not recommend measurement times below 30 seconds, and longer times may be necessary to get good resolution of weak lines.
Naming the Sample for Measurement
In the Analysis Window, click the blue button with the three dots located in the upper left corner as shown by the B arrow in Figure 23.
Figure 23. Analysis screen closeup. Clicking on the blue "…"
(three dots) invokes the sample naming screen.
The measurement naming window will appear (Figure 24, below). 
Figure 24. Test Information window. IODP-defined fields are circled in red (arrow A). B. Save button
This window contains fields to identify the sample.
Arrow A in Figure 24 highlights the IODP-defined editable fields, defined as follows:
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pXRF User Interface
Getting Started
Figure 25. Start-up Radiation safety and initialization screens. 
The DELTA's user interface starts with the start-up radiation safety and initialization screens (Figure 25). Read the radiation safety notice screen, and then confirm that you are a certified user user
Figure 26. Initialization and test 25. Start-up Radiation safety and initialization screens.
System initialization begins immediately after confirmation (Fig. 26). The analyzer launches a test screen using the previously selected mode.
Figure 26. Initialization and test screens.
Performing a Cal Check
Before sample testing can begin, a Cal Check needs to be performed. This will be shown by a "Cal Check Required" message located on the bottom left of the screen. A Cal Check measurement tells the gun to measure the stainless steel disk located in the stand. This is an internal calibration which ensures the gun is measuring properly.
Note: Cal Checks must be performed when the analyzer requests the procedure (once when the program is started, and once after every ten hours of testing). The Start Test button and trigger are disabled until a successful Cal Check is achieved. The Cal Check can be run any time during software operation, except during a test. When the Cal Check is in progress, the X-ray indicator light assembly blinks. This indicates that the X-ray tube is energized.
To perform a manual Cal Check: Place the analyzer it the DELTA docking station. Tap the Cal Check button.
Note: The deadman trigger are overridden when the analyzer is mounted in the docking station. If necessary, unlock the software trigger lock by tapping the Lock button at the top of the screen.
If the "Cal Check – Passed" message appears on the Results screen, the analyzer is ready for sample testing. If the Cal Check refer to the 'CalCheck fails' section in 'Troubleshooting'.
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Tap the Home button 
. You are now in the main measurement window. First set the Mode in which you'd like to measure in. The gun has a Geochemical and Soil Mode. Each one has different scanning parameters which preferentially pick up some elements better than others. The gun will remember the chosen mode and does not have to be chosen each time a new measurement is taken or the Gun is turned off/on.
To access the Modes click on 'Mode' button 
. This directs you to the 'Mode' Screen where you can choose between the Geochemistry and Soil modes (Figure 27). Click on each to see it's corresponding features and select the one best for your analysis.
Figure 27. Mode Screen.
Now that the Mode is set, establish the measuring time for each beam. Each Mode has preset measuring times but these are changeable. To access the Measurement Time, in the Mode Setup screen click on 'Test Condition.'
Figure 28. Test Setup screen. 
In In the Test Conditions screen, tap the Test/Tools button 
. This brings you to the Test Setup screen (Fig. 28). Enter the Minimum and Maximum time currently set for each beam (Fig. 828). Adjust the settings to your liking and click 'Save'.
Figure 28. Test Setup screen.
Note: If the minimum time is set to 1 and the maximum to 30, if the gun determines it has a good profile in less than 30 seconds it will stop actively measuring. If you want to ensure it measures for the full time, set the minimum and maximum time to the same number. Ex: Minimum 30s and Maximum 30s
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Staying in the Test Setup screen, tap the Label Defaults button located in the bottom left corner.
This is where you can manually input sample information. Editable fields are as follows: Run Number, Sample Name, Text ID, SHLF Offset, and Comment (optional field).
Run Number: A sequential number increased by +1 with every measurement, ex: 1, 2, 3… This number will start at 1 for the measurement of the expedition.
Sample Name: Sample Name according to the sample or section half label. Ex: 366-U1234A-20F1-W
Text ID: Unique 11 digit ID for each sample or section half located under the barcode on the label.
Offset for SHLF: The point where a measurement is made on a section half, measured as distance from the top of the section. This field will only have a value for section half measurements.
Comment: A brief description of the measurement. An optional field.
Click 'Save' in the lower right portion of the screen. If you do not click save the information will revert back to the prior run and there will be two measurements with the same name. The measurements are parsed by time so measurements will not overwrite one another there will just be multiple measurements with the same information.
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Preparing the Sample for Measurement
Discrete Measurement
- Open the mount door. The measurement window should lay flush with the bottom interior of the sample chamber.
- Insert the discrete sample oriented face down towards the X-ray beam. ALWAYS make sure only smooth, flat surfaces go on the X-ray window. The pXRF has a very thin Prolene window that can be easily torn and is the only barrier between the beryllium window and the sample. If the window becomes torn stop measuring immediately and replace the window. The Beryllium window is very fragile and brittle, any particles coming into contact with it can ruin the window and make the pXRF unable to measure accurately.
- Close the mount door, and make sure the shielded mount is firmly and safely attached to the analyzer. The discrete sample is ready to be analyzed.
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- Locate the area on the section half to be measured. Make sure that portion has a layer of Ultralene on it. Put a layer of glad wrap on the rest of the core that the lead shield might touch. We do not want to contaminate the core or pXRF.
- Place the shield over the core so the point of measurement is centered. Use the plexiglass view-finder to help find this spot.
- Take note of the measurement position on the core using the ruler. Lower the pXRF into the shielding oriented so the two indents on the analyzer are on the same side as the tightening screws.
- Tighten the screws until it feels firm. This locks the pXRF into place and helps stabilize it. Keep a hand on the handle while measuring to ensure it does not fall.
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Starting a Measurement
If the minimum time has been set to the same number as the maximum time for each beam setting (see Setting Parameters, above), the run time will be exactly what was set. If the minimum time is smaller than the maximum time, the pXRF may stop the measurement early, if the quality of the measurement satisfies its internal quality criteria. (These criteria cannot be adjusted by the end user.)
Important! Record each measurement taken on the paper log sheets provided by the technician. The log sheet will be a life-saver later in the expedition.
PC Interface
Figure 29. Innov-X Start Button
Press Dress the green Start button located on the bottom left of the screen as shown in Figure 29, below. The measurement can be started in either the Test Information or Analysis window.
Figure 29. Innov-X Start Button
The spectral graph and elemental concentrations will populate after each beam has completed measuring.
pXRF Interface
Navigate Navigate to the Test screen (Figure 30). Start the test by pulling the trigger or tapping the Start Test button. 
Figure 30. Start and mid-way through an active test.
The results are displayed immediately upon test completion. Tap the Spectral Plot button to view the spectrum results (Figure 31)..
Figure 31. Completed test and results. Results shown as both a list and as a spectrum.
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Processing Sample Results
Results are exported to a Data > IN Folder and then uploaded to the LORE database via Mega Uploader Tron, MUT. pXRF interface Users follow instructions on connecting the gun to the laptop. PC Users jump ahead to 'Exporting Results'.
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The gun writes one file per day that contains all the measurements taken in that 24-hour period. Until that file is exported the measurements are not permanently attached to the file.
Important! If files have not been exported DO NOT disconnect the gun, turn off the software, or turn off the gun; otherwise those un-exported measurements will be lost. For this reason, be sure to keep an eye on remaining battery life (or use the AC power adapter to provide continuous power to the pXRF). 
To export a file, click Set Up on the top right corner of the screen. Click Data Management located on the left hand panel as shown in Figure 32, arrow B.
Figure 32. Accessing the Data Management Screen. A. Set Up tab B. Data Management Button
Once the Data Management screen appears, files can then be exported. The results are organized by date in the window on the right hand-panel as shown in Figure 26. Select the date-referenced file you wish to upload. Make sure the Data or Spectra button is selected (designated by the presence of a check mark; in Figure 30, above, the Data button is selected).
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Other file types are possible, but are not our normal procedure; talk to the technician if you need a different file type.
Once you have selected the type and set the file name, make sure the values are correct as shown in Figure 33.
Figure 33. Exporting a file. A. List of all stored files. B. Data or Spectra selection C. Pathway where exported data goes D. Filename E. Export button
Once you have selected the type and set the file name, make sure the values are correct as shown in Figure 33.
In Figure 33, A indicates the date-referenced data files. These can be exported one by one, or multi-selected. (Or, click Select All to highlight and export all of the files, but this will be difficult to sort out.)
Arrow C indicates the destination path. This should always be set to C:\DATA\IN\. Arrow D is the filename; make sure it matches the file format defined above.
Once the data type (we suggest always starting with Data to help prevent mistakes) is selected, the date-referenced results are selected, the path set, and the filename assigned, click Export. Repeat the process for the Spectra file, again making sure the filename is the same as the Data file. The active filetype has the red checkmark.
After the files have been exported the measurements are attached to the file. Multiple exports can be done in the same day; however, the measurements will still be written to the same date file.
Example: 10 measurements are exported at 11:00 on 03-15-2017. Then 5 new measurements are taken and exported at 15:00 on 03-15-2017. The 03-15-2017 file now has 15 measurements that are exported in spite of 10 measurements being exported earlier in the day. This may cause duplicate records to be uploaded to the LIMS database; see a technician if this occurs.
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Uploading Files to LIMS
This step is done by the technician.
Open MegaUploadaTron (MUT). If the file(s) are not yet in the DATA > IN; transfer them now. MUT requires two file types per uploaded file: '.csv' and '.spm'. The filenames must be identical for MUT to recognize the two as linked and MUT will not allow an upload unless both files are present.
Check the boxes for the files to be uploaded. The Misc column identifies files that have not been uploaded as shown in Figure 34.
Figure 34. MUT XRF Uploader.
Figure 35. MUT pXRF Pre-Upload Form. A indicates the selection boxes. B. Editable fields
B highlights the editable fields.
Figure 34.
Figure 34. MUT XRF Uploader.
Click Upload in the bottom right of the window. This brings up the pXRF Pre-upload Form as shown below in Figure 35. This form lists all measurements and allows files to be edited. The fields in white are editable: Run Number, Sample Name, TextID, Offset for SHLF, and Comment. Measurements can also be checked or unchecked to upload or not upload to LIMS. Cross check measurements with the log sheets and make edits as necessary.
Figure 35. MUT pXRF Pre-Upload Form. A indicates the selection boxes. B. Editable fields
Keep a close eye out for duplicate lines. It is easy to inadvertently create multiple measurements with the same name, if the Save button isn't pressed when identifying the sample (see Naming the Sample for Measurement, above).
If any changes need to be made to the editable fields or if scientists require a different file type, from the MUT main screen, click Options > Set active analyses… to open the Configure Acitve Analyses window as shown in Figure 36. Follow the prompts in the window and select Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis to see the configurable options. The option wheel icon will only appear when the analysis type is on the Active uploaders side and is highlighted.
Figure 36. Configure Active Analyses screen (pXRF shown active).
Figure 37. MUT Settings for pXRF Analysis.
Once the wheel is clicked, the window in Figure 37 appears.
Figure 37. MUT Settings for pXRF Analysis.
These settings determine what MUT is searching for to validate the data before upload. These values are editable, but it is strongly recommended to have a developer assist you with this. If other labels (see Naming the Sample for Measurement, above) are enabled in the Olympus Innov-X software, those columns can be added here. Add the column name to the EditableColumns value exactly as it appears in the Innov-X menu.
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Quality Assurance/Quality Control
This measurement is highly affected by surface conditions, the heterogeneity of the sample, the size of the features in a heterogeneous sample, and the quality of the instrument-sample connection. Even a slight tilt of the instrument, for example, may have a significant effect on data quality.
It is highly recommended for the scientist to develop a quality control plan, to measure known standards for discrete samples. This is not possible for section half measurements; the user cannot judge accuracy of the elemental chemistry on section halves—only precision by measuring some of the positions more than once. (Be sure to label deliberate duplicates carefully!)
When measuring discrete samples for quantitative elemental chemistry, it is important to follow good laboratory practices: bracket the elements of interest (wherever possible) by the standards, ensure that samples are uniformly made (so that packing density is not an issue), etc.
When measuring section halves, unfortunately, the instrument cannot make quantitative measurements without significant post-pXRF work. In general terms, this means taking a representative number of discrete samples for each lithology, measuring them by another method like ICP-AES, and then calibrating the pXRF data for that lithology. Differences in moisture content, porosity, composition, surface smoothness (for good contact for the pXRF) will all have an impact—often a strong impact—on the quality of the results.
That being said, the power of pXRF for qualitative measurements of sediment and hard rock is very great (presuming heterogeneity is accounted for). A technique of evaluating elemental peak ratios can help to normalize results (but not quantify) for variances in physical properties, for example, and downhole trending can be displayed (similar to XRF Core Scanner results).
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If the pXRF is not moved between measurements, precision will be very high (similar to that for discrete samples). However, if the pXRF if moved and is not placed in the exact same spot as the previous measurement, the precision is likely to be significantly lower, depending on the characteristics of the core section in question.
It may be quite useful, therefore, for the user to make such measurements, attempting to place the pXRF back in the same place, in order to define some of the limits of the precision of the measurement.
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Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Maintenance
It is important to keep the pXRF clean and if the Prolene® window becomes dirty (or breaks), it should be replaced immediately. For instructions on how to replace the Prolene® Window please refer to the Olympus 'DELTA_Family--User—International' User Manual.
Keep the batteries away from extreme temperatures, and talk to the ET's about the best way to promote long battery life.
One of the things I worry about the most is the mini-USB connector on the side of the instrument to connect to the PC. The cables are somewhat easy to damage, but the biggest concern is the port itself. Mini-USB ports are very easy to damage, so take care to protect it against force from the side (i.e., pulling the cable sideways).
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- Turn off the analyzer and make sure the surrounding area is clean.
- Collect a Prolene® Measurement window from the bin labeled 'XRF Supplies', a small Phillips head screwdriver, and a box of KimWipes
- Orient the analyzer so the nose is pointing sideways. This will help minimize the likelihood of anything falling into the analyzer.
- Remove the two screws on the plate using the Philipps Head screwdriver (Figure)
5. Swing the face plate outward. The film window is now exposed. 
6. Remove the damaged window.
7. Take the new window, grabbing it by the edges, and place it on the plate. Orient the window so the backside (side fully covered with film) facing upward.
8. Double check the white window spacer and black rubber gasket are seated properly, and then rotate the hinged plate upwards.
9. Insert the screws and tighten until snug.
Directions and images for this section were provided by Olympus Delta Family User Manual. For more details on this procedure please refer to the 'DELTA_Family—User—International Guide'.
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Go through these steps:
Remove the gun and clean the stainless steel disk and Prolene® window. Try to measure again. If it still fails, restart the software and gun then try again (make to export any data first). It still fails, replace the stainless steel disk and measure again. If none of this resolves the issue, then contact Olympus and David Houpt.
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Health, Safety, and Environment
Handheld XRF Analyzer Safety Design
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