Plasma X-ray source
AssigneePlex LLC
InventorMalcolm W. McGeoch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims21
A plasma x-ray source comprising:
- a chamber containing a gas at a prescribed pressure, said chamber defining a pinch region having a central axis;
- an RF electrode disposed around said pinch region for preionizing the gas in said pinch region to form a plasma shell that is symmetrical around said central axis in response to application of RF energy to said RF electrode;
- and
- a pinch anode and a pinch cathode disposed at opposite ends of said pinch region for producing a current through said plasma shell in an axial direction and for producing an azimuthal magnetic field in said pinch region in response to application of a high energy electrical pulse to said pinch anode and said pinch cathode,
- whereby said azimuthal magnetic field causes said plasma shell to collapse to said central axis and to generate x-rays.
A plasma x-ray system comprising:
- a chamber containing a gas at a prescribed pressure, said chamber defining a pinch region having a central axis;
- an RF electrode disposed around said pinch region for preionizing the gas in said pinch region to form a plasma shell that is symmetrical around said central axis in response to application of RF energy to said RF electrode;
- a pinch anode and a pinch cathode disposed at opposite ends of said pinch region for producing a current through said plasma shell in an axial direction and for producing an azimuthal magnetic field in said pinch region in response to application of a high energy electrical pulse to said pinch anode and said pinch cathode;
- an RF source connected to said RF electrode for supplying RF energy thereto;
- an electrical drive circuit connected to said pinch anode and said pinch cathode for supplying said high energy electrical pulse thereto;
- and
- means for causing said gas to flow through said pinch region,
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.