Abstract:
The present invention provides a high flux X-ray source 100 comprising a sealed X-ray tube contained within an X-ray shield (101), an optic housing 103 containing a multi-layer optic for collecting and focussing X-rays generated in the sealed X-ray tube, and an X-ray beam conditioner 104. The multi-layer optic 103 is located at a predetermined distance from the sealed X-ray tube 101, with the optic housing 103 being adjustable relative to the sealed X-ray tube 101 and the beam conditioner 104 adjustable relative to the optic housing 103. The use of a multi-layer optic provides for the efficient collection and focussing of X-rays generated in a compact sealed tube and wavelength selectively enables it to act as a monochromator, providing a beam of X-rays with a predetermined range of photon energy.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a point-diffraction interferometer which can inspect a surface quality of an optical system for extreme ultraviolet lithography using a high-order harmonic X-ray source with excellent coherence, and an apparatus and method for generating a high-order harmonic X-ray. The present invention uses a high-order harmonic X-ray beam as a coherence light source, thus remarkably reducing the size of an apparatus for generating a light source to approximately {fraction (1/100)} of a device using a light source generated in a conventional synchrotron. Further, the present invention simplifies the construction of an interferometer by employing a thin foil in which a pinhole is formed through a drilling technique using high power femtosecond laser, thus increasing the industrial utility of the interferometer.
Abstract:
An oil-free electron source including a vacuum chamber within which a vacuum is maintained. A rigid insulated receptacle and an anode extend into the vacuum chamber and are mounted to opposite ends of the housing. A cathode-focus electrode assembly is mounted to an outer end of the receptacle and is suspended within the vacuum chamber by the receptacle. A high voltage connector is inserted into the receptacle and conveys voltage in an oil-free environment. The cathode and anode surfaces face each other and are aligned with respect to each other along an electron beam axis. The electron source may be provided within an electron beam scanner including a patient table, an x-ray source and detector obtaining x-ray scans of a patient, and a focus member directing an electron beam onto the x-ray source.
Abstract:
A dense plasma focus radiation source for generating EUV radiation using Lithium vapor and including a coaxially disposed anode and cathode. The invention includes methods and apparatuses for enhancing the efficiency of EUV radiation production, for protecting, cooling and extending the life of the anode and cathode, for protecting and shielding collecting optics from debris and pressure disturbances in the discharge chamber, and for feeding Lithium into the discharge chamber.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a catheter having an x-ray generator unit at its tip which generates x-ray radiation having a wavelength in a range effective for treating biological tissue. In one embodiment, the x-ray generator unit includes a miniature x-ray generator and a miniature transformer that form, in combination, a monolithic device. The transformer includes a primary winding that receives an input voltage in a range of 100 V to 4 kV from a power source, via a flexible cable that runs from the proximal end of the catheter body to its distal end. The transformer further includes a secondary winding that up-converts the input voltage to generate an output voltage in a range of 10 kV to 40 kV to be applied to a cathode of the x-ray generator. The cathode emits electrons in response to the applied voltage, and an extraction electrode guides the emitted electrons to an anode, which is preferably formed of a high-Z refractory metal. The impact of the electrons with the anode effects generation of x-ray radiation, a portion of which is transmitted via an x-ray transmissive window to the outside environment. One significant advantage of the device of the invention is that by employing a lower voltage in the body of the catheter and confining a higher voltage to a short, rigid section at the distal end of the catheter, the device provides enhanced mechanical flexibility and lowers the likelihood of electrical breakdown.
Abstract:
Debris generation from an EUV electric discharge plasma source device can be significantly reduced or essentially eliminated by encasing the electrodes with dielectric or electrically insulating material so that the electrodes are shielded from the plasma. The device includes: (a) a body, which is made of an electrically insulating material, that defines a capillary bore that has a proximal end and a distal end and that defines at least one radiation exit; (b) a first electrode that defines a first channel that has a first inlet end that is connected to a source of gas and a first outlet end that is in communication with the capillary bore, wherein the first electrode is positioned at the distal end of the capillary bore; (c) a second electrode that defines a second channel that has a second inlet end that is in communication with the capillary bore and an outlet end, wherein the second electrode is positioned at the proximal end of the capillary bore; and (d) a source of electric potential that is connected across the first and second electrodes, wherein radiation generated within the capillary bore is emitted through the at least one radiation exit and wherein the first electrode and second electrode are shielded from the emitted radiation.
Abstract:
A fusion device consisting of two colliding ion beams, each produced by a high power, femtosecond regime, chirped pulsed amplification (CPA) laser acceleration device. The CPA laser creates an ionized plasma and subsequently accelerates electrons to multi-MeV energies, thus creating electric fields due to separation of electrons and ions, of sufficient magnitude to accelerate the plasma ions to energies ranging from multi-keV to multi-MeV levels. The magnetic fields created by the laser pulses, as well as the electrons and/or ions, also helps confine the ions to the region of the size of the laser beam focal spot diameter, and thus enhance the collision probability of the counter-streaming ions and provide a sizable population of fusion events. Ion beam generation by high powered, short pulse CPA lasers has been previously demonstrated in thin foil targets. This novel use of the colliding beam geometry should lead to near break-even levels of fusion energy production in compact geometry suitable for small laboratory use for weapons design applications and commercial fusion energy characterization emulations. In addition, the low emittance of any radiation produced in the small fusion reaction region could provide a significant feature for use of this technology in high resolution neutron radiography, or other commercial or medical applications of neutrons, ions, electrons or photons(5) produced by components of this technology. It should be noted that the ion beam(s) created with only one foil target could produce neutrons for radiography by other than fusion reactions; for example for protons, (p,n) reactions on the target atoms will produce a neutron source of varying energies, although the cross sections for the reactions may be somewhat lower than for fusion.
Abstract:
A voltage control section for controlling a pulsed acceleration voltage applied between a photoelectron releasing layer and an X-ray target in order to accelerate a photoelectron is further provided, so that the acceleration voltage is maintained at a pulse top voltage until the X-ray target is bombarded with the photoelectron after the photoelectron is released from the photoelectron releasing layer. The pulse width of acceleration voltage can be set narrower to such an extent that no discharge occurs, which enables the pulse top voltage to become higher, whereby the energy of pulse X-rays can be made higher by enhancing the speed of photoelectrons.
Abstract:
Special liquid droplet targets that are irradiated by a high power laser and are plasmarized to form a point source EUV, XUV and x-ray source. Various types of liquid droplet targets include metallic solutions, and nano-sized particles in solutions having a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of some or all of the constituent metals, used a laser point source target droplets. The solutions have no damaging debris and can produce plasma emissions in the X-rays, XUV, and EUV (extreme ultra violet) spectral ranges of approximately 0.1 nm to approximately 100 nm, approximately 11.7 nm and 13 nm, approximately 0.5 nm to approximately 1.5 nm, and approximately 2.3 nm to approximately 4.5 nm. The second type of target consists of various types of liquids which contain as a miscible fluid various nano-size particles of different types of metals and non-metal materials.
Abstract:
An X-ray anode is produced by scoring at least a region of a surface of the anode, on which electrons are incident, with a number of defined microslits, thereby making the surface, or at least the region thereof, highly thermally stressable.