Plasma X-ray source
US5504795A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 6, 1995 |
| Grant date | Apr 2, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 6, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05G2/007
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A plasma x-ray source includes a chamber containing a gas at a prescribed pressure, the chamber defining a pinch region having a central axis, an RF electrode disposed around the pinch region for preionizing the gas in the pinch region to form a plasma shell that is symmetrical around the central axis, and a pinch anode and a pinch cathode disposed at opposite ends of the pinch region. The pinch anode and the pinch cathode produce a current through the plasma shell in an axial direction and produce an azimuthal magnetic field in the pinch region in response to a high energy electrical pulse. The azimuthal magnetic field causes the plasma shell to collapse to the central axis and to generate x-rays. Prior to collapse, the plasma shell may have a cylindrical shape or a spherical shape.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.