Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a substrate, a cathode, an outer ring, an anode, an electrically insulating layer, and an electrically conducting layer. The substrate includes a semiconducting material having a first conduction type. The substrate has a first face and a second face substantially parallel to the first face. A cathode is disposed at the second face and has the first conduction type. An outer ring, having the first conduction type, is disposed at an outer perimeter of the first face of the substrate. An anode, having the second conduction type, is disposed at the first face of the substrate within an inner perimeter of the outer ring. An electrically insulating layer is disposed over the outer ring. An electrically conducting layer is disposed over the electrically insulating layer and over the outer ring. The electrically conducting layer electrically is insulated from the outer ring by the electrically insulating layer.

Abstract: An x-ray source for improved electron beam control, a smaller electron beam spot size, and a smaller x-ray spot size with reduced power supply size and weight. A method for improved electron beam control, a smaller electron beam spot size, and a smaller x-ray spot size with reduced power supply size and weight. Grid(s) may be used in an x-ray tube for improved electron beam control, a smaller electron beam spot size, and a smaller x-ray spot size. Control circuitry for the grid(s) can be disposed in electrically insulative potting. Light may be used to provide power and control signals to the control circuitry.

Abstract: An x-ray tube comprising an anode and a cathode disposed at opposing ends of an electrically insulative cylinder. The x-ray tube includes an operating range of 15 kilovolts to 40 kilovolts between the cathode and the anode. The x-ray tube has an overall diameter, defined as a largest diameter of the x-ray tube anode, cathode, and insulative cylinder, of less than 0.6 inches. A direct line of sight exists between all points on an electron emitter at the cathode to a target at the anode.

Abstract: An inorganic, dielectric grid polarizer device includes a stack of film layers disposed over a substrate. Each film layer is formed of a material that is both inorganic and dielectric. Adjacent film layers each have different refractive indices. At least one of the film layers is discontinuous to form a form-birefringent layer with an array of parallel ribs having a period less than 400 nm. Another layer, different than the form-birefringent layer, is formed of an optically absorptive material for the ultra-violet spectrum.

Abstract: A cold electron number amplifier device can provide a greater number of electrons at lower electron emitter temperature. The cold electron number amplifier device can comprise an evacuated enclosure 11, a first electron emitter 12 attached to the evacuated enclosure 11, and an electrically conductive second electron emitter 13 also attached to the evacuated enclosure. The first electron emitter 12 can be configured to emit electrons 14 within the evacuated enclosure 11. The second electron emitter 13 can have a voltage V2 greater than a voltage V1 of the first electron emitter 12 (V2>V1). The second electron emitter 13 can be positioned to receive impinging electrons 14 from the first electron emitter 12. Electrons 14 from the first electron emitter 12 can impart energy to electrons in the second electron emitter 13 and cause the second electron emitter 13 to emit more electrons 15.

Abstract: A transformer network circuit utilizing multiple smaller transformer cores, instead of a single, relatively larger core, for transferring electrical power while maintaining a smaller overall core mass.

Abstract: An x-ray window including at least one aluminum layer and at least one amorphous carbon layer. At least one polymer layer may also be included. Aluminum layer(s) can provide improved gas impermeability to the window. Amorphous carbon layer(s) can provide corrosion resistance. Polymer layer(s) can provide improved structural strength.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for alternating current generation comprising a direct current control box, a first inductor, a second inductor, a first capacitor, and dual load connections. The direct current control box can alternately provide positive direct current to the first inductor then negative direct current to the second inductor. A second end of each inductor can be electrically connected together and electrically connected to a first load connection. A common connection on the control box can be electrically connected to a second load connection. The first load connection and the second load connection can be configured to be electrically connected across a load. A first capacitor can be electrically connected between the first load connection and the second load connection and configured to be electrically connected in series or parallel parallel with the load.

Abstract: A membrane including at least one aluminum layer and at least one amorphous carbon layer. At least one polymer layer may also be included. Aluminum layer(s) can provide improved gas impermeability to the membrane. Amorphous carbon layer(s) can provide corrosion resistance. Polymer layer(s) can provide improved structural strength.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a substrate, a cathode, an outer ring, an anode, an electrically insulating layer, and an electrically conducting layer. The substrate includes a semiconducting material having a first conduction type. The substrate has a first face and a second face substantially parallel to the first face. A cathode is disposed at the second face and has the first conduction type. An outer ring, having the first conduction type, is disposed at an outer perimeter of the first face of the substrate. An anode, having the second conduction type, is disposed at the first face of the substrate within an inner perimeter of the outer ring. An electrically insulating layer is disposed over the outer ring. An electrically conducting layer is disposed over the electrically insulating layer and over the outer ring. The electrically conducting layer electrically is insulated from the outer ring by the electrically insulating layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor detector device, such as a PIN diode or silicon drift detector, including a substrate with an entrance window. The entrance window comprises a conductive layer, and an insulating layer disposed between the conductive layer and the substrate. The insulating layer and conductive layer cover a center portion of the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A wire grid polarizer can have a repeated pattern of groups of parallel elongated wires disposed over a substrate. Each group of wires can comprise at least three wires. At least one wire at an interior of each group can be taller than outermost wires of each group. The wires can be a byproduct of an etch reaction.

Abstract: A fine pitch wire grid polarizer can have a pitch of less than 80 nanometers and a protective layer on the wires, by anisotropically etching the wire grid polarizer to form two parallel, elongated rods substantially located at corners where the wires contacted the substrate. The rods can be polarizing elements. A wire grid polarizer can have a repeated pattern of groups of parallel elongated wires disposed over a substrate. Each group of elongated wires comprises at least three wires. At least one wire at an interior of each group can be taller by more than about 10 nm than outermost wires of each group. Wires of a wire grid polarizer can be a byproduct of an etch reaction. A multi-step wire grid polarizer can comprise a base with a plurality of parallel multi-step ribs disposed on the base and a coating disposed along vertical surfaces of the steps.

Abstract: A grid polarizer including an array of groups of parallel elongated ribs disposed over a substrate. Each group of elongated ribs can comprise at least four ribs. Tops of two center ribs, at a center of each group, can be substantially the same elevational height and can be higher by more than 10 nm than tops of outer ribs of the groups. A region between adjacent ribs can have an index of refraction substantially equal to one. Some or all of the ribs can comprise polarizing wires disposed over substrate rods.

Abstract: Light enhancement devices, applications for the light enhancement devices, and methods for making the light enhancement devices are provided. The light enhancement devices include a substrate and a film of metal disposed over the substrate, the film of metal including at least one cavity. The cavity may be of various shapes depending on the desired application.

Abstract: A circuit providing reliable voltage isolation between a low and high voltage sides of a circuit while allowing AC power transfer between the low and high voltage sides of the circuit to an x-ray tube filament. Capacitors provide the isolation between the low and high voltage sides of the circuit.

Abstract: An electrical circuit as part of a reduced size power supply with improved use of electrical power can include an isolation circuit between an LC switching circuit and a load, a parallel LC energy storage circuit, and/or a dual LC switching circuit.

Abstract: An x-ray window comprising a plurality of thin film layers stacked together, including a thin film layer and a polymer layer. The thin film layer can be diamond, graphene, diamond-like carbon, beryllium, and combinations thereof. The polymer layer can be a polyimide. A boron hydride layer may also be included.

Abstract: A high voltage sensing resistor disposed on a cylinder that at least partially surrounds an evacuated enclosure of an x-ray tube.

Abstract: An x-ray window includes a mount with a support frame and an aperture. A window film has a stack of layers including: a thin film layer comprising a material selected from the group consisting of diamond, graphene, diamond-like carbon, beryllium, and combinations thereof; a boron hydride layer; and a polymer layer. The window film, including the thin film layer, the boron hydride layer, and the polymer layer, extends across the aperture and is supported by the support frame. The window film is attached to the support frame, defining a sealed joint. The layers are capable of withstanding a differential pressure of at least 1 atmosphere. The window film is substantially transmissive to x-rays having an energy in the range of 100-20,000 electronvolts.