1. What are the advantages of URSA 200 over conventional EDX systems?
There are several advantages to using a pulse-processor-less system: Lower initial cost. Higher reliability. Lower total cost of ownership. Better performance.

1. Why is URSA 200's performance better than those of conventional systems with dedicated processing hardware?
URSA 200 uses D2PC (Detector to Personal Computer) technology to send high resolution raw data to your PC at very high speeds. The main task of signal processing is to separate signal from noise. An algorithm to perform this task optimally depends on the characteristics of both the signal and the noise. Since both signal and noise are directed to the CPU using D2PC technology, the processing algorithms are better optimized for the specific processing task.

2. Are there any disadvantages to pulse-processor-less systems versus conventional EDX systems?
Because URSA 200 processes real time signals in the PC's CPU, it requires a PC that is capable of much higher performance than that of a conventional EDX system. The PC that is supplied with URSA 200 is powerful enough to perform these functions while multitasking other applications at the same time.

3. I already have a working detector. Can URSA 200 interface my detector to a PC?
URSA 200 is compatible with most commercially available detectors.

4. How long does it take for the spectrum to stabilize after I launch the software?
Unless the digitizer box was switched off, the system is ready to be used immediately. If the digitizer was switched off, or if there was a power failure, it takes about 20 minutes for the detector to stabilize.

5. Can I identify elements while spectrum acquisition is in progress?
Yes, elements can be identified (either automatically or manually) while acquisition is in progress, as well as other functions, such as selecting energy windows and viewing window integrals.

6. Can the Auto ID function be used in any keV range?
Yes, Auto ID works in any keV range, but the most reliable results are obtained at 10 and 20 keV.

7. What is the difference between the demo and the commercial versions of the software?
The demo version of the software is distributed free of charge and is identical to the commercial version, except it only works with a few sample demo spectra and images provided.

8. Can my old standard profiles be imported into URSA?
URSA does not rely on a profile library for its quant program. Instead, it incorporates state-of-the-art profile computation algorithms, for simpler operation, and more accurate and consistent results.

9. Do I have to select analytical lines for all elements before quantitation?
No, the lines are automatically selected by the program according to the spectrum content. Of course, these selections can be manually edited.

10. Do I have to standardize URSA 200 before using quant?
URSA 200 quantitation package is supplied with a set of virtual standards. The results obtained with virtual standards are comparable in accuracy to results obtained by standardless analysis. Standardization procedure is very simple and is recommended for the major and frequently used elements to obtain the most accurate results.

11. Can I use elements that have been standardized together with elements that have not been standardized in the same analysis?
Yes, you can mix default standards with fully standardized elements in the same analysis. The default standards are used only with the elements that have not been standardized yet.

12. What if I have a multiple window detector? Will the quantitation program account for that?
Absolutely. The quantitation program will give the correct results provided the correct window is selected in the detector settings.

13. Is it possible to save the analysis conditions with the spectrum so it can be quantified correctly at a later time?
The analysis conditions including the detector window, kV and geometry are always saved with the spectrum. These settings are automatically read by the program when the spectrum is opened. Of course, these settings can be manually edited by the user, whenever necessary.

14. Can the results of the quantitation be pasted into a report?
The results can be copied to the clipboard and then pasted into any Windows application. With the URSA Reports option, spectra, quant results, digital images, maps and linescans can be automatically placed into standard or custom reports.

15. Is it possible to perform automatic calibration with URSA?
Automatic gain calibration is a standard feature in URSA 200. This calibration is performed with a single element and typically takes about 5 minutes.

1. I am acquiring X-ray spectral images at resolution 512. Why do some frames take as little as 15 seconds to complete while others can take up to 30 seconds?
X-ray spectral imaging is dead time corrected. This means that every pixel gets equal live dwell time. This ensures that each pixel's intensity is truly proportional to its corresponding X-ray intensity. Therefore, the real time required to acquire one frame depends on the percentage of dead time.

2. Why don't maps get brighter as more frames are acquired?
After each frame, every map's intensity is automatically scaled for maximum contrast on the screen. You can view the actual X-ray statistics (maximum counts, minimum counts, average and standard deviation) by selecting Statistics in the Tools menu.

3. Why is the Sync to mains function not available with spectral imaging?
The Sync to mains feature is available for Digital Imaging and should be used at very high magnifications to eliminate interferences from magnetic fields. Since X-ray spatial resolution is much lower, maps are acquired at moderate magnifications where such interferences are not an issue.

4. How are the size and aspect ratio of the acquired images related to the microscope's field of view?
The field of view and aspect ratio of the acquired image are always equal to that of a micrograph. The field of view observed on the viewing CRT may differ slightly.

5. The resolution setting doesn't seem to affect the size of the displayed images.
The default display setting for images and maps is 'Fit All'. In this setting, URSA rescales windows, while maintaining their aspect ratios, in order to fit all images into the screen. Other display options are available under the Windows menu.

6. Does URSA have a frame averaging function?
URSA can acquire images at three different speeds using a pixel integration technique. Acquiring images at slower speeds results in better signal to noise ratios than any line or frame averaging over the same time.

7. How many maps can I acquire at resolution 512 and what is the tradeoff for the number of maps selected?
URSA 200 collects full spectrum data at every pixel, so that information for all detectable elements is always available. Therefore, there is no limitation to the number of maps, and additional elements can be selected after or during acquisition.

8. Is it possible to perform other tasks on the computer while acquiring maps?
Absolutely. Any other Windows application can be used during that time.

9. When should I acquire line scan information in real time and when should I use the Derive line scan function?
The Derive linescan option is useful for extracting information from saved spectral images, when the sample is no longer available. The line scans can be plotted instantaneously along any line in the image or map. However, if the sample is still available, real time line scan generally provides better statistical precision.

10. Can I perform quantitation on aggregate spectra from a selected area in the spectral image?
Selected area spectra can be quantified same as spectra acquired from a spot, provided the selected area is homogenous and is larger than X-ray excitation volume.