SciAps Handheld XRF Analyzer X-555
The world's only 55 kV handheld XRF — built for rare earth elements and soils.
The light rare earths need excitation energy a 50 kV handheld barely reaches. Running to 55 kV puts roughly 10× more useful energy on target, so the X-555 measures every light REE plus the first heavy ones — and delivers the best cadmium detection of any handheld XRF.
One Analyzer, Endless Possibilities
The X-555 ships as GeoChem or Soil, and each is available in a High-Temp variant for hot climates and high duty cycles.
X-555 GeoChem
Exploration and grade control
Built for rare earth elements, pathfinders and ore chemistry. The 55 kV tube fully excites the light REEs — La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm — plus europium, gadolinium and yttrium, and pairs with the detectORE™ app to reach roughly 40 ppb gold and 0.4 ppm silver in the field. Works directly on rock faces and core, or in an interlocked test stand for cups and bags.
- For the heavy REEs (Dy, Ho, Er, Yb), step up to the 80 kV PowerHouse X portable benchtop.
- High-Temp variant sustains high duty cycles in hot climates.
- 1Excitation source — 55 kV, 200 µA, 5 W, Au anode
- 2Detector — 50 mm² SDD, 140 eV, 250k cps
- 3Calibration — Compton Normalization + FP
- 4Weight — 2.98 lbs. (1.35 kg)
Industry-Best Detection Limits
The X-ray energy needed to excite the light REEs sits in the 40–48 keV range. Typical handheld tubes top out at 50 kV, so only a tiny fraction of that energy is useful. Running up to 55 kV makes about 10× more X-ray energy available — enough to reach every light REE and the first two heavy ones, gadolinium and europium.
Light REEs, Fully Excited
La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, plus heavy REEs europium and gadolinium, with sensitive yttrium — a heavy-REE pathfinder.
Best-in-Class Cadmium
Appropriate filtering delivers roughly 2× better cadmium detection than any other handheld XRF — valuable for environmental soils.
detectORE™ for Gold
Paired with the detectORE app, the X-555 reaches ~40 ppb gold and ~0.4 ppm silver in the field.
Up to Three Automated Beams
Optimized performance across the periodic table from Mg to U.
Works On the Outcrop
Exceptional shielding and 4 mm beam collimation let it measure directly on rock surfaces and drill core — no collimator, no sample prep.
Works On the Bench
An interlocked test stand takes cupped and bagged samples for closed-beam analysis when the work comes back to the office.
Rare Earth Limits of Detection
3-sigma detection above background, 120-second test times (ppm).
| Element | Interference-free SiO₂ | OREAS 'real world' |
|---|---|---|
| La | 13 | 15 |
| Ce | 15 | 19 |
| Pr | 18 | 34 |
| Nd | 27 | 33 |
| Sm | 30 | 35 |
| Eu | 60 | 120* |
| Gd | 90 | 180* |
*Real-world LODs for Eu and Gd are estimates, not derived from OREAS samples.
X-555 Specifications
- Weight
- 2.98 lbs. (1.35 kg) with battery
- Excitation source
- 55 kV, 200 µA, 5 W X-ray tube, Au anode
- Detector
- 50 mm² SDD, 140 eV FWHM (Mn Kα), 250k cps
- Beams
- Up to three automated beam settings + filters
- X-ray filtering
- 6-position filter wheel for beam optimization
- Available apps
- GeoChem and Soil, each in standard and High-Temp variants
- Elements
- 32 standard; more on request
- Dimensions
- 8.5 × 9.5 × 2.4 in
- Display
- 2.7-inch high-brightness touchscreen, rear-facing
- Cameras
- Dual — targeting + macro documentation & QR/barcode
- Calibration
- Fundamental parameters; Compton Normalization for geochem/soil
- Power
- Li-ion, hot-swap (60 s max swap)
- Connectivity
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, USB; SciAps Cloud-enabled
- Temp. range
- 10°F to 130°F (-12°C to 54°C) at 25% duty cycle
- Regulatory
- CE, RoHS, USFDA registered, Canada RED Act
Consumables and Accessories for the X-555
XRF Prolene Windows (24pk)Standard window; user-replaceableSKU 105-500034→
XRF Kapton Windows (25pk)Durable window for abrasive soil and rock workSKU 105-500035→XRF Soil Cups (25pk)Prepared soil and sediment sample analysisSKU 105-500036→XRF Soil Cup Prolene Film (25pk)Film for prepared soil cupsSKU 105-500043→
XRF Soil FootStable in-situ ground contact for soil testingSKU 401-500367→
XRF Benchtop Test StandClosed-beam analysis of cups and small samplesSKU 900-500069→XRF 316 RM Certifed Reference StandardCalibration verificationSKU 112-500063→Other Analyzers to Consider
X-550
Alloy/PMI work and the fastest aluminum sorting
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PowerHouse X
80 kV portable benchtop for the heaviest REEs (Dy, Ho, Er, Yb)
View→
Z-901
Beryllium — the 13th Priority Pollutant metal XRF cannot reach
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Z-903
Every element from hydrogen to uranium for exploration work
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the X-555 use a 55 kV tube instead of 50 kV?
The light rare earth elements need excitation energy in the 40–48 keV range. A 50 kV handheld reaches only a small fraction of it, but running up to 55 kV delivers about 10× more useful energy, so the X-555 can measure light REEs and the first heavy REEs (Eu, Gd) that a 50 kV gun struggles with.
Which rare earth elements can the X-555 measure?
All light REEs — La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm — plus europium, gadolinium, and yttrium (a pathfinder for the heavier REEs). For heavy REEs like Dy, Ho, Er, and Yb, the 80 kV PowerHouse X portable benchtop is required.
Is the X-555 good for environmental soil testing?
Yes — its 55 kV tube and filtering give the best cadmium detection of any handheld XRF (roughly 2× better), and it covers the RCRA and EPA Priority Pollutant metals per EPA Method 6200 for both in-situ and prepared samples.
Can the X-555 detect gold in the field?
With the detectORE™ app, the X-555 reaches approximately 40 ppb gold and 0.4 ppm silver — enabling same-day gold-pathfinder decisions instead of waiting for off-site lab assays.
Get Both With OneBox
Pair the X-555 with a SciAps Z-Series LIBS and cover every element and sample type — same batteries, cables, chargers, and accessories. LIBS analyzes what XRF can't (Li, Be, B, C, F, Na); XRF is great for transition and heavy metals.
Explore the OneBox