Composite/laminated window for electron-beam guns

A composite window having a low electron cross-section and improved electron transmission characteristics for use with high-power, high energy electron-beam guns wherein the environment of use includes a high vacuum on the electron beam entrance side of the composite window and a high pressure on the electron beam exit side of the composite window, said composite window comprising:

• (i) a first material of a polyester film for supporting a low-Z metal layer, said polyester film having a low-Z of about 4.5 and a higher-strength than the low-Z metal layer;
• (ii) a second material in the form of a layer of a low-Z metal in intimate contact with said polyester film, said low-Z metal layer being an aluminum layer in the form of a foil which is laminated with said polyester film, or an aluminum layer which is vapor deposited on said polyester film, said low-Z metal layer having good heat transfer characteristics for removing energy deposited in the low-Z metal layer due to the electron beam which first penetrates the low-Z metal layer on the beam entrance side of said composite window, said composite laminated window having a thickness of up to about 1 mil.;
• and,
• (iii) a plurality of fluid cooled, spaced apart foil support members for supporting and cooling said composite window, said support members being spaced apart about 0.1 inch, said composite window having an improved electron transmission at 100 keV that rises from about 62 percent when measured on the exit side of a 2 mil thick aluminum window to about 85 percent when measured on the exit side of said composite window.