Thirty-Nanosecond Radiography

W. P. Dyke, F. J. Grundhauser, F. M. Collins, N. W. Stunkard

The newly practical field emission electron source has considerable radiographic significance in view of its very large current density, up to 108 amp/sq cm, or about a million times greater than that of the thermal emitter, heated wire, used in conventional x-ray tubes. As a result it is now possible to obtain high resolution radiographs, e.g. 2 mil, in very short exposure times of 30 nanosec. In one application, a sharp radiograph was obtained of 7-mil particles traveling at a velocity of 16,000 ft/sec. The present paper describes a new small portable x-ray system which was developed for very high radiographic information rates. It also reviews briefly the recent, but earlier, development of higher voltage equipments based on the T-F emission cathode which operates at intermediate current densities, e.g. 1000 amp/sq cm, and information rates.

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Published
1962-02
Content type
Original Research
DOI
10.5594/J06194