X ray source

Claim 2

An x-ray source comprising an electron source and a single crystal anode defining spaced surfaces for generating x-rays and for repeatedly diffracting generated x-rays to provide an intense, monochromatic, low divergence x-ray beam.

Claim 3

An x-ray source comprising an elongated single crystal anOde having a longitudinal slot defining spaced x-ray emissive surfaces, an elongated electron source located in spaced relation to said x-ray emissive surfaces, means for accelerating the electrons to bombard said surfaces for generating x-rays which are repeatedly diffracted to produce an intense, monochromatic, low divergence x-ray beam.

Claim 4

An x-ray source comprising an elongated single crystal anOde having a longitudinal slot defining spaced x-ray emissive surfaces, an elongated electron source located in spaced relation to said x-ray emissive surfaces, means for accelerating the electrons to bombard said surfaces for generating x-rays which are repeatedly diffracted to produce an intense, monochromatic, low divergence x-ray beam.

Claim 5

The x-ray source defined in claim 2 in which the single crystal has (h, k, l) type planes which are parallel to each other along said crystal so that the x-rays repeatedly diffract in conformity with Bragg''s Law.

Claim 6

The x-ray source defined in claim 2 in which said single crystal anode is open at the ends of the slot for emission of an x-ray beam from the x-ray source.

Claim 7

An x-ray source comprising an elongated single crystal anode having a longitudinal slot defining confronting x-ray emissive surfaces, said single crystal anode having (h, k, l) type planes at one end of the crystal aligned nearly parallel to the (h, k, l) type planes at the other end of the slot to provide for repeated diffraction of x-rays over the entire length of said slot, said slot being open-ended to provide for x-ray emission from said crystal, an electron source arranged longitudinally of said slot in confronting relation with said x-ray emissive surfaces, means for exciting said electron source to emit electrons, means for accelerating said electrons toward said slot surfaces to generate x-rays whereby a portion of said x-rays generated are repeatedly diffracted along said slot to produce an intense, monochromatic, low divergence x-ray beam emitted from said slot.

Claim 8

An x-ray source comprising an elongated single crystal anode having a longitudinal slot defining confronting x-ray emissive surfaces, said single crystal anode having (h, k, l) type planes at one end of the crystal aligned nearly parallel to the (h, k, l) type planes at the other end of the slot to provide for repeated diffraction of x-rays over the entire length of said slot, said slot being open-ended to provide for x-ray emission from said crystal, an electron source arranged longitudinally of said slot in confronting relation with said x-ray emissive surfaces, means for exciting said electron source to emit electrons, means for accelerating said electrons toward said slot surfaces to generate x-rays whereby a portion of said x-rays generated are repeatedly diffracted along said slot to produce an intense, monochromatic, low divergence x-ray beam emitted from said slot.

Claim 9

The x-ray source as defined in claim 5 in which said single crystal anode (h, k, l) type planes are oriented within the width of an x-ray rocking curve.

Claim 10

The x-ray source as defined in claim 5 in which said single crystal anode is a silicon crystal.

Claim 11

The x-ray source as defined in claim 5 in which said single crystal anode is a Germanium crystal.

Claim 12

The x-ray source as defined in claim 5 in which said single crystal anode is a tungsten crystal.

Claim 13

An x-ray source comprising a single crystal anode having a cooling slot defining spaced, confronting x-ray emissive surfaces, a source of electrons disposed along said slot in spaced relation to said x-ray emissive surfaces, means for exciting said electron source to emit electrons, a bias cup lying along said slot adjacent said electron source for accelerating electrons toward said x-ray emissive surfaces, said bias cup having elongated slots adjacent said electron source defining an access path from the source to the x-ray emissive surfaces, means for applying an acceleration potential to said bias cup, said bias cup being further adapted to absorb stray x-ray emissions, a cathode cap overlying said electron source and cooperating to accelerate electrons toward said x-ray emissive surface and to absorb stray x-ray emissions, means for applying an acceleration potential to said cathode cap, and means for cooling said single crystal anode.

Claim 14

An x-ray source comprising a single crystal anode having a cooling slot defining spaced, confronting x-ray emissive surfaces, a source of electrons disposed along said slot in spaced relation to said x-ray emissive surfaces, means for exciting said electron source to emit electrons, a bias cup lying along said slot adjacent said electron source for accelerating electrons toward said x-ray emissive surfaces, said bias cup having elongated slots adjacent said electron source defining an access path from the source to the x-ray emissive surfaces, means for applying an acceleration potential to said bias cup, said bias cup being further adapted to absorb stray x-ray emissions, a cathode cap overlying said electron source and cooperating to accelerate electrons toward said x-ray emissive surface and to absorb stray x-ray emissions, means for applying an acceleration potential to said cathode cap, and means for cooling said single crystal anode.

Claim 15

The x-ray source defined by claim 10 in which the bias cup and cathode cap cooperate to enclose said electron source and to direct and accelerate emitted electrons through said slots toward said x-ray emissive surface.

Claim 16

An x-ray source comprising a single crystal anode having an open ended elongated slot defining spaced, confronting x-ray emissive surfaces, said slot being open at opposed ends thereof, said crystal having (h, k, l) type planes throughout which are aligned parallel to each other, an electron source disposed in said slot, means for accelerating electrons toward said x-ray emissive surfaces which generate and repeatedly diffract x-rays along said slot, said x-ray emissive surfaces adjacent one end thereof defining opposed focal areas for emitting a plurality of intense, low divergence, monochromatic x-ray beams from said source, and means for cooling said anode.

Claim 17

An x-ray source comprising a single crystal anode having an open ended elongated slot defining spaced, confronting x-ray emissive surfaces, said slot being open at opposed ends thereof, said crystal having (h, k, l) type planes throughout which are aligned parallel to each other, an electron source disposed in said slot, means for accelerating electrons toward said x-ray emissive surfaces which generate and repeatedly diffract x-rays along said slot, said x-ray emissive surfaces adjacent one end thereof defining opposed focal areas for emitting a plurality of intense, low divergence, monochromatic x-ray beams from said source, and means for cooling said anode.

Claim 18

The x-ray source defined in claim 12 in which the terminal portioN of one of said x-ray emissive surfaces extends beyond the terminal portion of the other surface to define a single focal area for emitting an intense, low divergence, monochromatic x-ray beam.

Claim 19

An x-ray source comprising an evacuated tube, a single crystal anode positioned in said tube for generating and directing x-ray beams toward one end of said tube, said tube having at least one window defining an exit path for x-rays from said tube, means for positioning said anode in operative alignment with said windows, said anode comprising a slotted single crystal having (h, k, l) type planes throughout aligned nearly parallel to each other for diffracting x-rays along said slot in conformity with Bragg''s Law, means for generating a stream of electrons for bombarding said crystal, and means for cooling said anode.

Claim 20

An x-ray source comprising an evacuated tube, a single crystal anode positioned in said tube for generating and directing x-ray beams toward one end of said tube, said tube having at least one window defining an exit path for x-rays from said tube, means for positioning said anode in operative alignment with said windows, said anode comprising a slotted single crystal having (h, k, l) type planes throughout aligned nearly parallel to each other for diffracting x-rays along said slot in conformity with Bragg''s Law, means for generating a stream of electrons for bombarding said crystal, and means for cooling said anode.

Claim 21

An x-ray source comprising an electron source and a single crystal anode defining spaced surfaces for generating x-rays, said single crystal anode spaced surfaces having a plurality of (h, k, l) planes arranged substantially parallel to each other for repeatedly diffracting generated x-rays for providing an x-ray beam.

Claim 22

An x-ray source comprising an electron source and a single crystal anode defining spaced surfaces for generating x-rays, said single crystal anode spaced surfaces having a plurality of (h, k, l) planes arranged substantially parallel to each other for repeatedly diffracting generated x-rays for providing an x-ray beam.

Claim 23

An x-ray source comprising a single crystal anode having a hole defining spaced x-ray emissive surfaces, an electron source located in spaced relation to said x-ray emissive surfaces, means for accelerating electrons to said surfaces for generating x-rays which repeatedly diffract to produce an x-ray beam emerging from said hole.

Claim 24

An x-ray source comprising a single crystal anode having a hole defining spaced x-ray emissive surfaces, an electron source located in spaced relation to said x-ray emissive surfaces, means for accelerating electrons to said surfaces for generating x-rays which repeatedly diffract to produce an x-ray beam emerging from said hole.

Claim 25

An x-ray source as defined in claim 16 in which said anode has a generally cylindrical hole defining the spaced x-ray emissive surfaces.

Claim 26

An x-ray source as defined in claim 16 in which said anode has a generally elliptical hole defining the x-ray emissive surfaces.

Claim 27

An x-ray source as defined in claim 18 which includes a plurality of electron sources lying in spaced relation to said x-ray emissive surfaces.

Claim 28

An x-ray source as defined in claim 16 in which said anode has a generally rectangular hole defining the x-ray emissive surfaces.

Claim 29

An x-ray source as defined in claim 16 in which said x-ray emissive surfaces lie within spaced planes.

Claim 30

An x-ray source as defined in claim 16 in which one spaced x-ray emissive surface contains at least one (h, k, l) type plane cooperating with another (h, k, l) type plane located in the other x-ray emissive surface to repeatedly diffract an x-ray generated within said x-ray source.

Claim 31

An x-ray source comprising a single crystal anode having spaced x-ray emissive surfaces, an electron source located in spaced relation to said x-ray emissive surfaces, means for accelerating electrons to bombard said surfaces for generating x-rays which are repeatedly diffracted to produce x-ray beam emerging from said source.

Claim 32

An x-ray source comprising a single crystal anode having spaced x-ray emissive surfaces, an electron source located in spaced relation to said x-ray emissive surfaces, means for accelerating electrons to bombard said surfaces for generating x-rays which are repeatedly diffracted to produce x-ray beam emerging from said source.

Claim 33

An x-ray source as defined in claim 1 in which the anode has (h, k, l) type planes in said x-ray emissive surfaces, which planes cooperate with each other to repeatedly diffract x-rays along the x-ray emissive surfaces to form an intense, low divergence x-ray beam.

Claim 34

An x-ray source as defined in claim 24 in which said (h, k, l) type planes are generally parallel to each other.

Claim 35

A single crystal anode for an x-ray source comprising an elongated single crystal having a hollow defining confronting x-ray emissive and diffracting surfaces wherein the (h, k, l) type planes are aligned nearly parallel through said crystal.

Claim 36

A single crystal anode for an x-ray source comprising an elongated single crystal having a hollow defining confronting x-ray emissive and diffracting surfaces wherein the (h, k, l) type planes are aligned nearly parallel through said crystal.

Claim 37

A single crystal anode for an x-ray source comprising an elongated single crystal having a longitudinal slot defining confronting x-ray emissive and diffracting surfaces wherein the (h, k, l) type planes are aligned nearly parallel through said crystal.

Claim 38

A single crystal anode for an x-ray source comprising an elongated single crystal having a longitudinal slot defining confronting x-ray emissive and diffracting surfaces wherein the (h, k, l) type planes are aligned nearly parallel through said crystal.

Claim 39

A single crystal as defined in claim 27 in which said surfaces are coated with a thin film of a highly efficient x-ray generating material.

Claim 40

The crystal defined in claim 28 in which said coating comprises a highly efficient x-ray generating material selected from the group consisting oF tungsten, platinum, molybdenum, or copper.