Theory of Operation of Flash X-Ray Tubes

The operation of three-electrode, hard-vacuum, flash x-ray tubes is discussed, with particular reference to the use of these lubes in the so-called low-voltage circuit. It is noted that these tubes can give out pulses of x-rays which are very short compared with the “ringing time” of the associated electrical circuit. — A theory is put forward to explain this and other tube characteristics. The theory postulates the production of a plasma jet, which is “pumped” from the trigger arc towards the anode by means of the electromagnetic pinch effect. The x-ray exposure time corresponds to the transit time of this jet. The theory also requires that there should be an initial delay after the breakdown of the trigger before there is any appreciable rise of current in the tube. Some evidence of this is given together with some x-ray shadowgraphs illustrating applications of the flash technique.

Print ISSN

0361-4573

Published

1961-01

Content type

Original Research

DOI

10.5594/J14377