Bruker Elio - Massive Deadtime/Low Count Limit Warnings

[Mitchel Gundrum]

Howdy all,

Thanks for reading, wondering if anyone has ideas about an error we're getting on our ELIO unit while trying to run spot analyses. 

Everything appears normal, all the same current and voltage specs we've been using as our standard for several years. As of late, however, all analysis attempts stop after the 2-second delay for low count rate limit factor (0.150). Upon disabling the limit control, a red banner appears on the bottom of the analysis screen warning that the deadtime is shifting between 95%—105% until the automatic analysis timer winds down or is manually aborted. This occurs for both a known sample item (a book with arsenical green cloth) and the provided AgCu calibration token. I've restarted the ELIO software and the hardware head itself several times to no avail. 

My impression is that if the sensor isn't picking up enough counts, either the sample is not dense enough (disproven), or the sensor is perhaps misaligned? Is it possible that the beam is somehow not activating? Does this group have any other thoughts or troubleshooting suggestions? 

Thanks for your consideration!

~Mitchel