Abstract: A bearing structure for an X-ray tube is provided that includes a journal bearing shaft with a radially protruding thrust bearing flange encased within a bearing housing or sleeve. The sleeve includes a thrust seal that is engaged with the sleeve in a manner to maintain coaxiality for the rotating liquid metal seal formed in the sleeve about the shaft. The shaft includes a central bore containing a cooling tube that directs coolant within the bore to maximize the heat transfer from the shaft to the coolant, allowing materials with lower thermal conductivities, such as steel, to be used to form the bearing shaft. The thrust flange on the shaft is formed with channel(s) therein that enable the coolant and/or the liquid metal to effect greater heat transfer on the components of the sleeve through the thrust flange, thereby reducing thermal deformation of the bearing components.

Abstract: Provided are an automatic lithium target regenerating apparatus and an automatic lithium target regenerating method, which are equipped with a measurement function of a lithium film thickness of a lithium target, and may automatically regenerate the consumed lithium target by moving a vapor deposition source to the lithium target. An automatic lithium target regenerating apparatus (106) is allowed to automatically regenerate lithium of a lithium target. The automatic lithium target regenerating apparatus (106) includes a lithium vapor deposition unit (1) for vapor-depositing the lithium on the lithium target. The lithium vapor deposition unit (1) is allowed to vapor-deposit the lithium on the lithium target by moving to the lithium target side.

Abstract: An x-ray apparatus includes an x-ray emitter having an x-ray tube, a rotary anode disposed in the x-ray tube, and a drive for the rotary anode. The drive includes a reluctance motor having a stator disposed outside the x-ray tube and a rotor disposed inside the x-ray tube. The rotor is mechanically connected to the rotary anode.

Abstract: A x-ray tube comprising an anode sealed to a flexible coupling. The flexible coupling can allow the anode to deflect or tilt in various directions to allow an electron beam to impinge upon various selected regions of an anode target. A method of utilizing different regions of an x-ray tube target by tilting or deflecting an x-ray tube anode to cause an electron beam to impinge on a selected region of the target.

Abstract: It is provided a device for supporting a rotatable target of a deposition apparatus for sputtering material onto a substrate, wherein the device includes a drive unit for rotating the rotatable target; a ring-shaped part connected to the drive unit for attaching the drive unit to the rotatable target; and, a shield for covering the ring-shaped part. The shield is adapted for rotating together with the ring-shaped part and includes a plurality of parts assembled together. Furthermore, a sputtering apparatus and a method for supporting a rotatable target are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing soft x-ray laser radiation. A low pressure plasma column is created by electric discharge or by laser excitation inside a rotating containment tube. Rotation of the plasma is induced by viscous drag caused by rotation of the tube, or by magnetically driven rotation of the plasma as it is created in a plasma gun in the presence of an axial magnetic field, or both. A high power electrical discharge is then passed axially through the rotating plasma column to produce a rapidly rising axial current, resulting in z-pinch compression of the rotating plasma column, with resultant stimulated emission of soft x-ray radiation in the axial direction. A rotating containment tube used in combination with magnetically driven rotation of the plasma column results in a concave electron density profile that results in reduced wall ablation and also reduced refraction losses of the soft x-rays.

Abstract: An apparatus of one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that includes a number of micro-electromechanical (MEM) devices, a charge source, and at least one discharge path. Each MEM device has a plurality of different states based on a charge induced thereon. The charge source is to induce the charge thereon such that the MEM devices each enter one of the states. The at least one discharge path is for the plurality of MEM devices, and along which the charge induced thereon is dischargeable.

Abstract: A high voltage switch, including: first and second electrodes having electrode surfaces; an electrically non conductive tube having an outer surface connecting the electrode surfaces; an electrically non conductive wall surrounding the tube and forming an enclosure in which the electrode surfaces and the outer tube surface are sealed; an ionizable material in the enclosure, an electric field being created in the enclosure responsive to application of a high voltage potential across the electrodes; and, an electrically conductive member adapted for movement in the tube between a first position substantially inside the enclosure and a second position substantially outside the enclosure, the electrically conductive member distorting the electric field when moved into the first position and causing an ionized current flow path between the electrode surfaces. A plurality of such switches can be ganged for simultaneous and/or sequential operation.

Abstract: A rotatable magnetron cathode having at least one supported end adapted for attachment to a spindle. At least one dark space shield is attached to the cathode at a supported end to rotate therewith, and is electrically floating relative to the cathode.

Abstract: The anode of an arc lamp is supported on an arm. When the arc lamp fails, motion of the arm detects the failure and turns the current off of the arc lamp. In addition, after failure of the lamp, the arm limits motion of the anode so that it does not strike adjacent structure.

Abstract: An electron beam apparatus comprises an electron source with an electron emitter in the form of a wire, suitably of metal, which slides on two supports. The two supports are constructed and spaced apart at such a distance (not more than 1 millimeter) that for the wire portion between the supports, a thermal equilibrium is achieved which is optimum for high electron emission from a small area of the wire. The wire can be heated to a temperature just below its melting point and is transported across the support under a low tensile stress.

Abstract: An ionization chamber with two electrodes having a variable spacing and with a radioactive source for the ionization of the electrode gap therebetween includes an adjusting mechanism for the positional adjustment of one of the electrodes relative to the other. The mechanism is such that a spring element presses the adjustable electrode against at least one point of the adjusting mechanism.Several arrangements are disclosed for adjustably mounting a cup-shaped electrode in the housing of the chamber in such a manner that it is readily adjustable and will not undergo spurious readjustment as a result of vibration of shock.

Abstract: An ionization chamber of the type used in an ionization smoke detector is made adjustable. The chamber has two electrodes and one radioactive source for ionizing the electrode gap. One of the electrodes is laterally displaceable relative to the other. As a result of displacement of this electrode, areas of the electrode with differing geometrical configurations can be brought into the ionization zone of the radioactive source.Several different embodiments of the electrode with different geometrical configurations are described.

Abstract: A rotary anode X-ray tube capable of operating at very high voltages of several hundred thousand volts.The rotor and the stator of the motor for the rotary anode are electrically connected to the anode which is itself raised to a positive DC potential, while the cathode is raised at a symmetrical negative potential. The rotor and the stator are separated by a thin non-magnetic wall which makes part of the vacuum enclosure, said wall being connected to the remainder of the enclosure by means of a fold of glass.

Abstract: An X-ray tube including an envelope enclosing a flat-edged anode disc rotatable and axially reciprocable and further enclosing an electron beam source for projecting electrons along a beam axis toward the edge of the anode disc. The beam source is disposed to direct its beam at an acute angle of incidence to the edge of the anode disc and produce X-rays which are transmitted through a window in the envelope.

Abstract: An X-ray tube having a cathode serving as a source of electron rays and a rotatable anode, with which for example a tube-to-tube weld connection can be tested throughout without changing the position of the tube. For that purpose the anode of the tube is bevelled so that a rotating X-ray beam can be obtained by rotating the anode.

Abstract: An X-ray source having a cathode rotatable relative to the anode and a motor for rotating the cathode to produce a corresponding rotation of the X-ray beam emitted by the source.

Abstract: An air bearing vacuum seal assembly capable of rotating at the speed of several thousand revolutions per minute using an air cushion to prevent the rotating and stationary parts from touching, and a two stage differential pumping arrangement to maintain the pressure gradient between the air cushion and the vacuum so that the leak rate into the vacuum is, for example, less than 1 .times. 10.sup.-4 Pa m.sup.3 /s. The air bearing vacuum seal has particular application for mounting rotating targets to an evacuated accelerator beam tube for bombardment of the targets with high-power charged particle beams in vacuum.

Abstract: In rotary anodes which are journalled on two sides a problem occurs, notably as regards the bearing which is arranged on the side of the anode disc which is remote from the rotor. The problem involves excessive discharge of heat via the shaft and the bearing. A possibility of reducing the quantity of heat applied to the bearing consists in the increasing of the length of the anode shaft to increase the heat resistance. However, the length of the X-ray tube is then also increased. The invention provides a combination of smaller length, substantially free choice of the material of the anode shaft and hence overcritical speeds for the tube during operation by forming the anode shaft as a hollow rotor shaft coupled to the anode disc and a further shaft journalled at both ends to the respective bearings and connected to the hollow shaft.

Abstract: An X-ray generating tube is disclosed, which tube is especially suitable for use in a computerised tomographic apparatus in which a spread of x-radiation is required to shift rapidly relative to the body of a patient under examination. The tube contains a rotating anode which is either reciprocated to-and-fro along the axis of rotation thereof or contains a shaped profile which scans along said axis.

Abstract: X-ray tubes with a magnetic bearing either have the disadvantage that the anode must be at earth potential, so that an asymmetric high-voltage supply is required or that -- in the case of a symmetric high voltage -- a relatively wide air gap is necessary which requires a high driving force and a bearing which has a certain amount of drawbacks. The invention provides an insulator between the anode which is at the high-voltage potential and the rotor which is at the earth potential, so that the air-gap between the rotor and stator can be relatively small and an effective magnetic bearing is possible.

Abstract: For certain applications it is desired to provide an X-ray tube in which the emitted X-rays can be scanned in relation to the fixed body of the tube. A rotating anode X-ray tube is described in which the periphery of the anode is so shaped that, in the course of rotation, the point of incidence of an electron beam moves relative to the tube as a whole. In response to this the emitted X-rays are similarly moved. Various shapes of anode can be used. In examples described one or more sections of equiangular spirals provide linear X-ray scans, with or without a rapid flyback.

Abstract: Implantation of particles and especially ions is carried out by directing a particle beam onto a target and sweeping the beam in two directions at right angles. The target is subjected to a double movement of rotation about two axes which are substantially parallel to the direction of the particle beam. All the points of the target thus describe an epicycloid and are subjected to implantation by the particle beam.

Abstract: An X-ray tube is disclosed having a cathode and rotating anode located within a glass envelope. The rotating anode comprises an annular disc forming the target area. The disc is integrally connected to a stem which in turn is connected to a hollow cylindrical rotor. The interior of the cylindrical rotor extends over the anode support shaft and bearing structure. The anode shaft supports the rotor, stem and anode disc and is integrally connected thereto via a thin-walled, cup-shaped member made of a low heat conductive metal. The interfaced connections with the cup-shaped element are accomplished through minimal contact surfaces to provide a thermal barrier against the heat energy generated in the anode structure, thereby preventing the heat energy from passing through to the shaft and bearing structure.