Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of polishing a surface of an object that includes aluminum. The method includes the step of contacting the surface of the object with a soft polishing pad and a polishing composition. The polishing composition includes abrasive particles, an agent that oxidizes aluminum, and a liquid carrier to polish the surface of the object. The polishing composition includes the abrasive particles suspended in the liquid carrier, and is applied at a pH above about 7.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of polishing a surface of an object that includes aluminum. The method includes the step of contacting the surface of the object with a soft polishing pad and a polishing composition. The polishing composition includes abrasive particles, an agent that oxidizes aluminum, and a liquid carrier to polish the surface of the object. The polishing composition includes the abrasive particles suspended in the liquid carrier, and is applied at a pH above about 7.

Abstract: An improved x-ray generation system produces a converging or diverging radiation pattern particularly suited for substantially cylindrical or spherical treatment devices. In an embodiment, the system comprises a closed or concave outer wall about a closed or concave inner wall. An electron emitter is situated on the inside surface of the outer wall, while a target film is situated on the outside surface of the inner wall. An extraction voltage at the emitter extracts electrons which are accelerated toward the inner wall by an acceleration voltage. Alternately, electron emission may be by thermionic means. Collisions of electrons with the target film causes x-ray emission, a substantial portion of which is directed through the inner wall into the space defined within. In an embodiment, the location of the emitter and target film are reversed, establishing a reflective rather than transmissive mode for convergent patterns and a transmissive mode for divergent patterns.

Abstract: A novel x-ray treatment system utilizes one or more large area flat panel sources of x-ray radiation directed into a target zone. A target substance within the target zone is irradiated with x-ray radiation from the one or more flat panel sources, reducing the biological effects of a contaminant presence therein. The flat panel source comprises an electron source, an electron accelerator, and an electron target medium. The electron source may emit electrons either via field emission or thermionic emission. The x-ray source may operate in transmissive, reflective, or combined transmissive/reflective mode. The use of large area flat panel x-ray sources in the inventive systems allows for decreased installation and operational costs as well as increased efficiency.

Abstract: An improved x-ray generation system produces a converging or diverging radiation pattern particularly suited for substantially cylindrical or spherical treatment devices. In an embodiment, the system comprises a closed or concave outer wall about a closed or concave inner wall. An electron emitter is situated on the inside surface of the outer wall, while a target film is situated on the outside surface of the inner wall. An extraction voltage at the emitter extracts electrons which are accelerated toward the inner wall by an acceleration voltage. Alternately, electron emission may be by thermionic means. Collisions of electrons with the target film causes x-ray emission, a substantial portion of which is directed through the inner wall into the space defined within. In an embodiment, the location of the emitter and target film are reversed, establishing a reflective rather than transmissive mode for convergent patterns and a transmissive mode for divergent patterns.