Electro-Optical Systems for Dynamic Display of X-ray Diffraction Images

Abstract

AbstractVarious electro-optical systems have been reported which permit intensification of X-ray diffraction patterns and thus a decrease in exposure time for recording and display of the X-ray images. Prior to 1966, all such electro-optical systems incorporated a large format X-ray image intensifier of the same type as conventionally used for medical and industrial fluoroscopy. In the past four years, a number of different systems have been reported which are superior to those developed prior to 1966. These systems may be grouped into two main categories, the large format variety for Laue diffraction applications, and the small format variety for topographic applications.The purpose of the present paper is to describe the particular characteristics of both the large format and small format systems and to discuss the advantages and disadvantages associated with each type. Based on actual performance characteristics it will be shown that:1.A multiple stage image intensifier system coupled to an external fluorescent screen is the most sensitive and only truly instantaneous system; it can be used with very weak X-ray intensities, the resolution is currently limited by the external fluorescent screen to 42μ the system is extremely versatile in that it can be used both for large format recording of Laue patterns as well as for small format recording of X-ray topographe; the system has a very long lifetime since nothing is altered by X-radiation.2.An X-ray sensitive vidicon is the least sensitive; it must be used with extremely high intensity X-rays or long exposure times; the resolution is the highest at approximately 15μ and is limited by either bandwidth of the television system, the thickness of the X-ray sensitive target or the size of the electron beam at the target; due to the small size of the X-ray sensitive target the system can only be used for small format recording of X-ray topographs; the lifetime of the system is short since X-radiation causes degradation of the target.