Continuous Triboluminescence X-Ray Source By Contacting And Rotating Two Circular Discs

Abstract

Triboluminescence is a luminous phenomenon resulted from friction; for example, peeling scotch tape, breaking rock sugar with a hammer, peeling mica and so on. Triboluminescence is well known over 50 years but in 2008 UCLA group reported the radiation of x-ray region by triboluminescence in vacuum for the first time1. UCLA group made an automatic machine which peels scotch tape. With a view to practical application of triboluminescence to roentgen diagnosis we made an automatic peeling machine similar to that of UCLA group. An x-ray tube for conventional roentgen diagnosis needs a high voltage power supply. In contrast, triboluminescence does not need it. So it is very useful for roentgen diagnosis to replace a conventional x-ray tube with triboluminescence. Thus far, we have attempted to confirm the x-ray generation from triboluminescence using a filtered phosphor screen when the parameters such as the followings are changed; peeling speed, atmospheric pressure, variety of scotch tape, emission angle etc. Then in a similar way we have also attempted to measure x-ray dose from triboluminescence using a potable dosemeter. It was found that the x-ray generation has a directional property. Because the method to peel scotch tapes does not enable to operate continuously, new method without scotch tapes has been proposed2–3. The new method repeatedly contacts silicone with epoxy to produce x-ray. In this conference, we have reported a novel method to generate xray radiation by triboluminescence. Two circular discs are co ntacted and rotated: One is made of silicone and another is m ade of epoxy. We have made a new-type triboluminescence e quipment and examined its characteristics when the following conditions are changed; combinations of contact materials, rotating velocity, radiation direction, pressure and so on.