X-ray generator
An apparatus and a method are described for producing coherent secondary x-rays that are controlled as to direction by illuminating a mixture of high z and low z gases with an intense burst of primary x-rays. The primary x-rays are produced with a laser activated plasma, and these x-rays strip off the electrons of the high z atoms in the lasing medium, while the low z atoms retain their electrons. The neutral atoms transfer electrons to highly excited states of the highly stripped high z ions giving an inverted population which produces the desired coherent x-rays. In one embodiment, a laser, light beam provides a laser spark that produces the intense burst of coherent x-rays that illuminates the mixture of high z and low z gases, whereby the high z atoms are stripped while the low z ones are not, giving the desired mixture of highly ionized and neutral atoms. Means for magnetically confining and stabilizing the plasma are disclosed for controlling the direction of the x-rays.
- Assignee:
- Energy Research and Development Administration
- Patent Number(s):
- US 3961197
- Application Number:
- TRN: 77-001069
- OSTI ID:
- 7140636
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 21 Aug 1974; Other Information: PAT-APPL-499,221
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Inner-shell photoionized x-ray lasers
X-ray diagnostics in the laser-initiated fusion program
Related Subjects
42 ENGINEERING
LASERS
DESIGN
X-RAY SOURCES
COHERENT RADIATION
CONTAINERS
CYLINDRICAL CONFIGURATION
EXCITED STATES
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
STIMULATED EMISSION
CONFIGURATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION
ENERGY LEVELS
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PLASMA
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIATIONS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
X-RAY EQUIPMENT
070201* - Radiation Sources- Design
Fabrication & Operation
420300 - Engineering- Lasers- (-1989)