Abstract: Methods and means for reduced ng the overall diameter of an x-ray tube by recessing the vacuum pumping port stub within the ground plane of the x-ray tube without adversely affecting the electrostatic fields within the vacuum tube itself are provided. In one embodiment, x-ray tubes of smaller diameter, which can be used within the highly confined diameters typically found within the pressure housings of borehole tools are used.

Abstract: An alumina-ceramic-based electrical insulator, to a method for producing the insulator, and to a vacuum tube includes the insulator. The electrical insulator is for insulating two electrodes of a vacuum tube through which a charged particle beam flows, the electrical insulator being formed of an alumina-based ceramic. The ceramic comprises a vitreous phase of between 2% and 8% by weight into which at least one metal oxide is diffused from a face of the electrical insulator.

Abstract: Methods and means for reduced ng the overall diameter of an x-ray tube by recessing the vacuum pumping port stub within the ground plane of the x-ray tube without adversely affecting the electrostatic fields within the vacuum tube itself are provided. In one embodiment, x-ray tubes of smaller diameter, which can be used within the highly confined diameters typically found within the pressure housings of borehole tools are used.

Abstract: A source for generating ionizing radiation and in particular x-rays, to an assembly includes a plurality of sources and to a process for producing the source. The source comprises: a vacuum chamber; a cathode that is able to emit an electron beam into the chamber; an anode that receives the electron beam and that comprises a target that is able to generate ionizing radiation from the energy received from the electron beam; an electrode that is placed in the vicinity of the cathode and that allows the electron beam to be focused; a stopper ensuring the seal tightness of the vacuum chamber; and a mechanical part that is made of dielectric and that forms a portion of the vacuum chamber; and the stopper is fastened to the mechanical part by means of a conductive brazing film that is used to electrically connect the electrode.

Abstract: A source for generating ionizing radiation and in particular x-rays, to an assembly includes a plurality of sources and to a process for producing the source. The source comprises: a vacuum chamber; a cathode that is able to emit an electron beam into the chamber; an anode that receives the electron beam and that comprises a target that is able to generate ionizing radiation from the energy received from the electron beam; an electrode that is placed in the vicinity of the cathode and that allows the electron beam to be focused; a stopper ensuring the seal tightness of the vacuum chamber; and a mechanical part that is made of dielectric and that forms a portion of the vacuum chamber; and the stopper is fastened to the mechanical part by means of a conductive brazing film that is used to electrically connect the electrode.

Abstract: A source for generating ionizing radiation and in particular x-rays, to an assembly includes a plurality of sources and to a process for producing the source. The source for generating ionizing radiation comprises: a vacuum chamber; a cathode that is able to emit an electron beam into the vacuum chamber; an anode that receives the electron beam and that comprises a target that is able to generate ionizing radiation from the energy received from the electron beam; and an electrode that is placed in the vicinity of the cathode and forming a wehnelt. The electrode is formed from a conductive surface adhering to a concave face of a dielectric.

Abstract: A source for generating ionizing radiation and in particular x-rays, to an assembly includes a plurality of sources and to a process for producing the source. The source for generating ionizing radiation comprises: a vacuum chamber; a cathode that is able to emit an electron beam into the vacuum chamber; an anode that receives the electron beam and that comprises a target that is able to generate ionizing radiation from the energy received from the electron beam; and an electrode that is placed in the vicinity of the cathode and forming a wehnelt. The electrode is formed from a conductive surface adhering to a concave face of a dielectric.

Abstract: A source for generating ionizing radiation and in particular x-rays, to an assembly includes a plurality of sources and to a process for producing the source. The source comprises: a vacuum chamber; a cathode that is able to emit an electron beam into the vacuum chamber, the electron beam developing about an axis; and an anode that receives the electron beam and that comprises a target that is able to generate ionizing radiation from the energy received from the electron beam; the ionizing radiation being generated toward the exterior of the vacuum chamber; the anode comprises a cavity into which the electron beam is intended to penetrate to reach the target and the walls of the cavity form a Faraday cage blocking parasitic ions that may be emitted by the target into the interior of the vacuum chamber; and at least one getter that is separate from the walls of the cavity and that is intended to trap the parasitic ions is placed in the cavity.

Abstract: An alumina-ceramic-based electrical insulator, to a method for producing the insulator, and to a vacuum tube includes the insulator. The electrical insulator is for insulating two electrodes of a vacuum tube through which a charged particle beam flows, the electrical insulator being formed of an alumina-based ceramic. The ceramic comprises a vitreous phase of between 2% and 8% by weight into which at least one metal oxide is diffused from a face of the electrical insulator.

Abstract: An x-ray generator tube comprises a vacuum chamber with a cathode and an anode, the cathode and anode placed in the vacuum chamber, the cathode emits an electron beam in the direction of the anode, the anode includes a target emitting x-rays when it is struck by the electron beam, and the x-rays propagate out of the vacuum chamber by passing through the wall of the chamber via a diamond-based transmission window. According to the invention, a diamond-based x-ray sensor is integrated into the diamond-based transmission window.

Abstract: An x-ray generator tube comprises a vacuum chamber with a cathode and an anode, the cathode and anode placed in the vacuum chamber, the cathode emits an electron beam in the direction of the anode, the anode includes a target emitting x-rays when it is struck by the electron beam, and the x-rays propagate out of the vacuum chamber by passing through the wall of the chamber via a diamond-based transmission window. According to the invention, a diamond-based x-ray sensor is integrated into the diamond-based transmission window.

Abstract: A radiation source includes a vacuum chamber, means for injecting an optical wave, a cold source for emitting electrons, a power supply, an anode for emitting X-rays, and at least one window through which the X-rays exit. A light source delivers the optical wave, and the cold source includes at least one substrate with a conducting surface and is subjected to an electric field. The cold further includes a photoconductive element in which the current is controlled approximately linearly by the illumination and at least one electron-emitting element, the photoconductive element electrically connected in series between an emitting element and a conducting surface. Current photogenerated in the photoconductive device is equal to that emitted by the emitter or the group of emitters with which it is associated, and the emitted stream of X-rays is approximately linearly dependent on the illumination.

Abstract: A radiation source includes a vacuum chamber, means for injecting an optical wave, a cold source for emitting electrons, a power supply, an anode for emitting X-rays, and at least one window through which the X-rays exit. A light source delivers the optical wave, and the cold source includes at least one substrate with a conducting surface and is subjected to an electric field. The cold further includes a photoconductive element in which the current is controlled approximately linearly by the illumination and at least one electron-emitting element, the photoconductive element electrically connected in series between an emitting element and a conducting surface. Current photogenerated in the photoconductive device is equal to that emitted by the emitter or the group of emitters with which it is associated, and the emitted stream of X-rays is approximately linearly dependent on the illumination.

Abstract: The invention relates to vacuum tubes and especially to electron tubes. To produce the tube, and especially an electron collector comprising several electrodes, the electrodes are produced in the form of blocks of ceramic having a high thermal conductivity. The blocks are electrically conducting (at least on the surface). They are preferably made of an insulating ceramic such as aluminium nitride, and are made conductive over part of their surface. The conductive surface part is preferably formed by a conductive ceramic, preferably based on titanium nitride, or on similar conductive ceramic materials. Thus, increased strength, better heat dissipation and weight reduction are achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to vacuum tubes and especially to electron tubes. To produce the tube, and especially an electron collector comprising several electrodes, the electrodes are produced in the form of blocks of ceramic having a high thermal conductivity. The blocks are electrically conducting (at least on the surface). They are preferably made of an insulating ceramic such as aluminium nitride, and are made conductive over part of their surface. The conductive surface part is preferably formed by a conductive ceramic, preferably based on titanium nitride, or on similar conductive ceramic materials. Thus, increased strength, better heat dissipation and weight reduction are achieved.

Abstract: A frequency tuning device for a microwave tube. The tube has one or more resonant cavities which are tuned with the aid of a movable tuning element for each cavity. Each tuning element has an actuating device and a sensor which detects the position of the tuning element. An electronic control is provided for comparing the position of the tuning element supplied by the sensor with a set position and for delivering a control signal to the actuating device which moves the tuning element to the set position.