Polyethylene naphthalate X-ray window

Abstract

An X-ray window for an X-ray component such as an X-ray detector. Windows of this kind must be as thin as possible so as to minimize X-ray absorption. The known material polypropylene is not available in the desired thickness of the order of 1 .mu.m, and stretching of this material so as to reduce the thickness causes an inadmissible spread in thickness. The material polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) in accordance with the invention is available in the desired thickness and with a much smaller spread in thickness. Furthermore, the window material should exhibit suitable mechanical properties (such as strength, rigidity and tightness) which are not allowed to degrade significantly under the influence of continuously varying circumstances in respect of pressure, temperature and X-rays. In comparison with the known polyethylene terephtalate (PET), PEN in this respect has better properties which satisfy the mechanical requirements.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.