Performance and Applications of a Cold Cathode Soft X-Ray Source

摘要

The design and principles of operation of a cold cathode soft x-ray source are described for the production of soft x-rays. The source is versatile, very simple, and may be powered by either AC or DC high voltage power supplies. Discharge control is achieved with a fine metering valve or a commercially available Automatic Pressure Controller (A.P.C.). Measurements of x-ray stability and intensity were made with a continuously bending mica crystal spectrometer and electronics linked to a teletype system. Al Kalpha intensity as high as 71,420 counts per second was recorded. X-ray stability with a fine metering valve to control the discharge is fair for the first two or three hours of operation. With an A.P.C. the stability is greatly improved. The count rate is shown to have an average standard deviation of plus or minus 1% or less for the first hour of operation and no greater than 1.5% for longer periods of time (2 to 24 hours). Applications of the cold cathode source are shown for x-ray emission spectroscopy, soft x-ray radiography, and x-ray diffraction of long chain organic materials. (Author)