Abstract:
A positioning technique for aligning an X-ray lens (28) is described. A positioning apparatus (16) comprises a lens mounting component (44) and a positioning component (42). The positioning component (42) includes at least one goniometer stage (64, 66) having a centre of rotation that substantially coincides with the X-ray emitting portion (36) ("hot spot") of the X-ray source (12). The provision of one or more goniometer stages (64, 66) and, if required, one or more additional translation stages (60, 62) facilitates the adjustment of the X-ray lens (28) and makes the adjustment more intuitive.
Abstract:
An X-ray source that produces X-rays as a result of igniting an electron cyclotron resonance plasma inside a vacuumated dielectric spherical chamber (11) filled with a heavy atomic weight, non-reactive gas or gas mixture at low pressure. The spherical chamber is located inside a non-vacuumated microwave resonant cavity (13) that is in turn located between two magnets (32, 33) to form a magnetic mirror. Conventional microwave energy fed into the resonant cavity ignites the plasma and creates a hot electron ring which electrons bombard the heavy gas and dielectric material to create an X-ray emission. The X-ray source is suitable for surface and volume sterilization of foodstuffs, packaged goods, medical supplies, blood products and other materials and medical diagnostic and therapeutic devices such as tomography, mammography and radiology.
Abstract:
The apparatus for carrying out local chemical analysis at the surface of solid materials by spectroscopy of X photoelectrons comprises an ultrahigh vacuum analysis chamber (1) wherein is housed the sample to be analyzed (2) which is connected to a manipulator (3) arranged outside said chamber (1), an analyzer (4) situated in the vicinity of the sample and an electron source (5) emitting an electronic beam (10). The apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises between the electronic beam (10) and the sample (2) which is a solid massive material a microsource of X photons (6) arranged as close as possible to said massive sample (2).
Abstract:
Provided is an X-ray imaging apparatus including an X-ray source for generating and irradiating an X-ray; a collimator for controlling an X-ray imaging area to which an X-ray is irradiated by the X-ray source; a projector for generating and projecting a visible image by using image signals; a reflection mirror for reflecting the visible image projected by the projector to an X-ray imaging area; and a main controller for controlling the projector to match a light irradiation field corresponding to the visible image projected to the X-ray imaging area to the X-ray irradiation field.
Abstract:
Methods for generating a multiple-energy X-ray pulse. A beam of electrons is generated with an electron gun and modulated prior to injection into an accelerating structure to achieve at least a first and specified beam current amplitude over the course of respective beam current temporal profiles. A radio frequency field is applied to the accelerating structure with a specified RF field amplitude and a specified RF temporal profile. The first and second specified beam current amplitudes are injected serially, each after a specified delay, in such a manner as to achieve at least two distinct endpoint energies of electrons accelerated within the accelerating structure during a course of a single RF-pulse. The beam of electrons is accelerated by the radio frequency field within the accelerating structure to produce accelerated electrons which impinge upon a target for generating Bremsstrahlung X-rays.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an X-ray source that uses a rectangular resonant cavity which is excited with a microwave mode TE10p.The invention can also be used as a cyclotron radiation source using the cylindrical cavity, but making structural changes thereto for this purpose. The system can be used to significantly increase the energy of the electronic beam by compensating the diamagnetic force via an axially symmetrical electrostatic field. The longitudinal electrostatic field is generated by ring-type electrodes placed inside the cavity, preferably in the planes of the nodes of the electric field TE11p. The electrodes must be made from a material that is transparent to the microwave field, e.g. graphite.
Abstract:
X-ray apparatus comprises a linear accelerator adapted to produce a beam of electrons at one of at least two selectable energies and being controlled to change the selected energy on a periodic basis, and a target to which the beam is directed thereby to produce a beam of x-radiation, the target being non- homogenous and being driven to move periodically in synchrony with the change of the selected energy. In this way, the target can move so that a different part is exposed to the electron beam when different pulses arrive. This enables the appropriate target material to be employed depending on the selected energy. The easiest form of periodic movement for the target is likely to be a rotational movement. The target can be immersed in a coolant fluid such as water. The linear accelerator can be of the type disclosed in WO2006/097697A1. The target preferably contains at least one exposed area of tungsten and/or at least one exposed area of carbon. These can be present as inhomogeneities in the material of which the target is composed, such as Carbon inserts in a Tungsten substrate (or vice versa), alternating segments of Carbon and Tungsten, Carbon and Tungsten inserts in a substrate of a third material, or arrangements involving other materials in addition to or instead of Carbon and/or Tungsten. Alternatively, the target can be of a homogenous material but have inhomogeneities in its thickness to cater for the different electron energies. The same concept can be applied to the filter. A detector can be provided, operating in synchrony with the energy variation. Such an x-ray apparatus can form a part of a radiotherapy apparatus, in which case the first selected energy can be a diagnostic energy and a second selected energy a therapeutic energy.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a device for emitting X-rays comprising a microwave source (60), a resonance chamber (10) containing a tightly confined gas volume, a magnetic structure (50, 51) defining an electron confinement geometric zone (H) wherein electrons move at high velocity and at least a target (90, 91, 92) placed on an electron trajectory to emit X-rays. The invention is characterised in that the target is offset relative to a median region (M) of the geometric confinement zone (H).
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for the treatment of a patient having a tumor is disclosed. An X-ray generating source (84) is positionable at la location in close proximity to the tumor. The X-ray generating source comprises a substantially cylindrical glass X-ray tube (90) having a length on the order of one-quarter to two inches (0.635 cm to 5.08 cm) and a diameter less than one inch (2.54 cm). It is operable at a voltage level in the range of approximately 10-60 keV, thereby enhancing absorption of the generated X-rays by the tumor and minimizing the side effects of radiation therapy on the patient's normal tissue.
Abstract:
A high-intensity, inexpensive X-ray lithography for the production of integrated circuits. Foil stacks (24) are bombarded with a high-energy electron beam (22) of 25 to 250 MeV to produce a flux (26) of soft X-rays of 500 eV to 3 keV. Methods of increasing the total X-ray power and making the cross section of the X-ray beam uniform are described. Methods of obtaining the desired X-ray beam field size, optimum frequency spectrum and eliminating the neutron flux are all described. A method of obtaining a plurality of station operation is also described which makes the process more efficient and economical. The satisfying of these issues makes transition radiation an excellent moderate-prices X-ray source for lithography.