X-ray system with electrophoretic imaging and solid X-ray absorber

Abstract

Abstract An electronradiography imaging chamber providing a real time visual image. An electronradiography imaging chamber with a solid X-ray absorber at one electrode and with electrophoretic particles in the gap between the electrodes, with the particles being selectively moved to a transparent electrode as a result of the electrostatic charge image formed by absorption of incoming X-ray radiation in the solid absorber. An imaging chamber which can be cyclically operated at a relatively high repetition rate, typically 10 to 20 images per second, thereby providing real time viewing of the objects. SU BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to electronradiography and in particular, to X-ray systems providing for real time imaging. The present invention is an improvement on that disclosed in copending application entitled X-RAY SYSTEM WITH ELECTROPHORETIC IMAGING, Ser. No. 571,220, filed Apr. 24, 1975, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,965,352. In the aforesaid copending application, an electronradiography imaging chamber has first and second electrodes mounted in spaced relation with a gap therebetween, with a fluid in the gap. The fluid is an X-ray absorber which emits electrons and positive ions as a function of incoming X-ray radiation. Electrophoretic particles are suspended in the fluid in the gap, and an appropriate electrical power supply is provided for connection across the electrodes. An electrostatic charge image is formed at the edge of the gap during X-ray radiation and this charge image is utilized in selectively depositing electrophoretic particles at one of the electrodes which is transparent for viewing the deposited particles through the electrode. Several arrangements for the electrophoretic particles and the fluid, and several arrangements for viewing of the electrophoretic particle image are disclosed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved electronradiography imaging chamber which utilizes a solid absorber in place of the previously disclosed fluid absorber. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The imaging chamber of the present invention includes first and second electrodes in spaced relation with a gap therebetween. An optional dielectric layer may be provided at the surface of one of the electrodes and an absorber sheet is positioned at the surface of the other electrode. Electrophoretic particles are dispersed in a liquid in the gap. The absorber sheet provides for absorption of incoming X-ray radiation and produces electrons and positive ions, and typically is a solid state photoconductor material. An appropriate electrical power supply is provided for connection across the electrodes. An electrostatic charge image is formed at a surface of the solid absorber during X-ray radiation, and this charge image is utilized in the same manner as in the prior art in selectively depositing the electrophoretic particles at one of the electrodes. The image formed by the deposited electrophoretic particles may be viewed in any of the conventional modes. The X-ray exposure and image viewing steps may be repeated cyclically to provide substantially continuous real time imaging.

Inventors

• 👤 Keith A. Brueckner
• 👤 John H. Lewis

Bibliographic Details