Mercury-free and sodium-free compositions and radiation source incorporating same
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsDavid Smith, Timothy Sommerer, Joseph Michael, Vikas Midha, George Cotzas
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Abstract
An ionizable mercury-free and sodium-free composition is capable of emitting radiation if excited. A radiation source includes such an ionizable mercury-free and sodium-free composition. The ionizable mercury-free and sodium-free composition includes at least a metal, a metal and a metal compound, or a metal compound.
Claims134
An ionizable mercury-free and sodium-free composition comprising an inert buffer gas and at least a first metal selected from the group consisting of Mn, Ni, Cu, Al, Ga, In, Ti, Ge, Sn, Pb, Bi, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, and combinations thereof;
- said composition excluding said inert buffer gas being capable of emitting radiation if excited;
- and said composition excluding said inert buffer gas producing a total vapor pressure less than about 1×103 Pa if excited.
An ionizable mercury-free and sodium-free composition comprising an inert buffer gas and a first metal selected from the group consisting of Mn, Ni, Cu. Al, Ga, In, Tl, Sn, Pb, Bi, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, and combinations thereof with the proviso that In, Bi, Pb, and Ga are absent when a tin halide is present;
- said composition being capable of emitting radiation if excited.
An ionizable mercury-free and sodium-free composition comprising:
- (a) an inert buffer gas;
- (b) at least a first metal selected from the group consisting of Mn, Ni, Cu, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Ge, Sn, Pb, Bi, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, and combinations thereof;
- and (c) at least a compound of second metal selected from the group consisting of Mn, Ni, Cu, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Ge, Sn, Pb, Bi, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, and combinations thereof, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of halides, oxides, chalcogenides, hydroxide, hydride, organometallic compounds, and combinations thereof, with the proviso that (i) Ge is absent when Se is present;
- and (ii) In, Bi, Pb and Ga and halides thereof are absent when a tin halide is present;
- said composition being capable of emitting radiation if excited.
An ionizable mercury-free and sodium-free composition consisting of (a) inert buffer gas;
- and (b) at least a compound of one metal selected from the group consisting of Mn, Ni, Al, Ga, Tl, Ge, Sn, Pb, Bi, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, and combinations thereof, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of halides, oxides, chalcogenides, hydroxide, hydride, organometallic compounds, and combinations thereof.
A radiation source comprising an ionizable mercury-free and sodium-free composition that comprises at least a first metal selected from the group consisting of Mn, Ni, Cu, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Ge, Sn, Pb, Bi, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, and combinations thereof;
- said at least a first metal being capable of emitting radiation if excited;
- and said at least a first metal producing a total vapor pressure less than about 1×103 Pa if excited.
A radiation source comprising a filling that comprises an ionizable mercury-free and sodium-free composition comprising at least a first metal selected from the group consisting of Mn, Ni, Cu, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Sn, Pb, Bi, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, and combinations thereof with the proviso that In, Bi, Pb, and Ga are absent when a tin halide is present;
- said composition being capable of emitting radiation if excited.
A radiation source comprising an ionizable mercury-free and sodium-free composition consisting of (a) inert buffer gas;
- and (b) at least a compound of a metal selected from the group consisting of Mn, Ni, Al, Ga, Tl, Ge, Sn, Pb, Bi, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os and combinations thereof, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of halides, oxides, chalcogenides, hydroxide, hydride, organometallic compounds and combinations thereof.
A radiation source comprising an ionizable mercury-free and sodium-free composition that comprises:
- (a) at least a first metal selected from the group consisting of Mn, Ni, Cu, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Ge, Sn, Pb, Bi, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, and combinations thereof;
- and (b) at least a compound of said second metal selected from the group consisting of Mn, Ni, Cu, Al, Ga, In, Ti, Ge, Sn, Pb, Bi, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, and combinations thereof, wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of halides, oxides, chalcogenides, hydroxide, hydride, organometallic compounds, and combiantions thereof with the proviso that (i) Ge is absent when Se is present;
- and (ii) In, Bi, Pb, and Ga and halides thereof are absent when tin halide is present;
- said composition being capable of emitting radiation if excited.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.