Construction of a Ultrananocrystalline Diamond based Cold Cathode Arrays for a Flat-Panel X-ray Source

摘要

A novel cold cathode field emission array (FEA) X-ray source based on ultra-nanocrystalline diamond (UNCD) field emitters is being constructed as an alternative for detection of obscured objects and material. Depending on the geometry of the given situation the flat-panel X-ray source could be used in tomography, radiography, or tomosynthesis. Furthermore, the unit could be used as a portable X-ray scanner or an integral part of an existing detection system. UNCD field emitters show great field emission output and can be deposited over large areas as the case with carbon nanotube "forest" (CNT) cathodes. Furthermore, UNCDs have better mechanical and thermal properties as compared to CNT tips which further extend the lifetime of UNCD based FEA. This work includes the first generation of the UNCD based FEA prototype which is being manufactured at the Center for Nanoscale Materials within Argonne National Laboratory with standard microfabrication techniques. The prototype is a 3x3 pixel FEA, with a pixel pitch of 500 urn, where each pixel is individually controllable.