Aluminum x-ray transmissive window for an x-ray tube vacuum vessel

An x-ray generating device, comprising:

• an x-ray tube vacuum vessel;
• an x-ray transmissive window assembly comprising a non-toxic, ductile, transmissive window having a sufficiently low x-ray attenuation coefficient to efficiently allow transmission of diagnostic x-rays, and that provides sufficient structural support within the operating environment of said x-ray tube vacuum vessel;
• and
• a transition layer comprising a metal and forming a vacuum sealed joint with said transmissive window, said vacuum sealed joint capable of withstanding the operating environment of said x-ray tube vacuum vessel.

An x-ray generating device, comprising:

• an x-ray tube vacuum vessel;
• an x-ray transmissive window assembly comprising a non-toxic, ductile transmissive window having a sufficiently low x-ray attenuation coefficient to efficiently allow transmission of diagnostic x-rays, and that provides sufficient structural support within the operating environment of said x-ray tube vacuum vessel;
• and
• an intermediate layer for attenuating x-rays and a transition layer, wherein a vacuum sealed joint is formed between said transmissive window, said intermediate layer, and said transition layer, said vacuum sealed joint capable of withstanding the operating environment of said x-ray tube vacuum vessel, and wherein said transmissive window comprises aluminum.

An x-ray generating device for diagnostic medical imaging, comprising:

• an x-ray tube vacuum vessel;
• a non-toxic, ductile transmissive window having a sufficiently low x-ray attenuation coefficient to efficiently allow transmission of diagnostic medical x-rays;
• a transition layer forming a peripheral frame about said window and for attachment to said vacuum vessel to form a first vacuum sealed joint;
• an intermediate layer forming a peripheral frame about said window and forming a diffusion barrier that prevents the formation of brittle intermetallics between said window and said transition layer at the operating temperatures of said x-ray generating device;
• and
• a second vacuum sealed joint formed by explosion welding between said transmissive window, said intermediate layer and said transition layer, said vacuum sealed joint capable of withstanding the operating environment of said x-ray generating device.