X-ray window with grid structure

• US 7,737,424 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2007
• Issued: 06/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Moxtek (Polatechno Co.,Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Moxtek (Polatechno Co.,Ltd.)
• Inventors: Anderson, Eric C., Perkins, Raymond T., Decker, Keith W., Xu, Degao
• Primary Examiner(s): Berman; Jack I
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sahu; Meenakshi S
• Application Number:
  US11/756,946
• Publication Number:
  US 20080296518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 250/505.1, 250/515.1, 250/517.1, 250/379, 250/374, 250/385.1, 378/161, 378/140, 378/145
• US Class Current: 250/505.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 47/004 Windows permeable to X-rays, gamma-rays, or particles windows for discharge tubes with provision for emergence of electrons or ions from the vessel H01J33/04; windows for X-ray tubes H01J35/18
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 5/18 Windows permeable to X-rays, gamma-rays, or particles

Abstract

A high strength window for a radiation detection system includes a plurality of intersecting ribs defining a grid having openings therein with tops of the ribs terminate substantially in a common plane. The intersecting ribs are oriented non-perpendicularly with respect to each other and define non-rectangular openings. The window also includes a support frame around a perimeter of the plurality of intersecting ribs, and a film disposed over and spanning the plurality of intersecting ribs and openings. The film is configured to pass radiation therethrough. An associated radiation detection system includes a sensor disposed behind the window. The sensor is configured to detect radiation passing through the high strength window.

Claims

1. A window for a radiation detection system, the window comprising:

a) a plurality of intersecting ribs defining a grid having openings therein, wherein tops of the ribs terminate substantially in a common plane;

b) the plurality of intersecting ribs being oriented non-perpendicularly with respect to each other and defining non-rectangular openings;

c) a support frame disposed around a perimeter of the plurality of intersecting ribs;

d) a film disposed over and spanning the plurality of intersecting ribs and openings to pass radiation therethrough; and

e) the plurality of intersecting ribs, the support frame and the film material include a same material.

2. A window as in claim 1, wherein the non-rectangular openings have a substantially parallelogram shape.

3. A window as in claim 1, wherein at least one corner of each opening is partially filled with a same material as the ribs.

4. A window as in claim 1, wherein the openings of the grid are hexagonal.

5. A window as in claim 1, wherein at least one corner of the openings includes a fillet with a width greater than a width of the ribs.

6. A window as in claim 1, wherein the intersecting ribs are integrally formed from a single piece of material.

7. A window as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of intersecting ribs, the support frame and the film material are integrally formed of the same material.

8. A window as in claim 1, wherein the same material is a polymer.

9. A window as in claim 1, wherein each rib comprising the plurality of intersecting ribs is about less than 100 μ

m wide.

10. A window as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs includes a first set of parallel ribs oriented non-orthogonal with respect to and intersecting a second set of parallel ribs.

11. A window as in claim 1, further comprising a gas barrier film layer disposed over the film.

12. A radiation detection system comprising:

a) a window to pass radiation therethrough, the window comprising;

i) a plurality of intersecting ribs defining a grid having openings therein, wherein tops of the ribs terminate substantially in a common plane;

ii) a support frame disposed around and supporting the grid;

iii) a film disposed over and spanning the plurality of intersecting ribs and openings; and

b) a sensor disposed behind the window configured to detect radiation passing through the window.

13. A radiation detection system as in claim 12, wherein the plurality of intersecting ribs define non-rectangular openings having a substantially parallelogram shape.

14. A radiation detection system as in claim 12, wherein at least one corner of each opening is partially filled with a same material as the ribs.

15. A radiation detection system as in claim 12, wherein the openings of the grid are hexagonal.

16. A radiation detection system as in claim 12, wherein at least one corner of the openings includes a fillet with a width greater than a width of the ribs.

17. A radiation detection system as in claim 12, wherein the intersecting ribs are integrally formed from a single piece of material.

18. A radiation detection system as in claim 12, wherein the plurality of intersecting ribs, the support frame and the film material are integrally formed of the same material.

19. A radiation detection system as in claim 12, wherein the plurality of intersecting ribs comprise silicon, and wherein the film comprises a polymeric film.

20. A radiation detection system as in claim 12, wherein each rib comprising the plurality of intersecting ribs is about less than 100 μ

m wide.

21. A radiation detection system as in claim 12, wherein the plurality of ribs includes a first set of parallel ribs oriented non-orthogonal with respect to and intersecting a second set of parallel ribs.

22. A window for a radiation detection system, the window comprising:

a) a plurality of intersecting ribs defining a grid having openings therein, wherein tops of the ribs terminate substantially in a common plane;

b) the plurality of intersecting ribs being oriented non-perpendicularly with respect to each other and defining non-rectangular openings;

c) a support frame disposed around a perimeter of the plurality of intersecting ribs;

d) wherein the openings take up about 81% to about 90% of a total area within the perimeter of the support frame; and

e) a film disposed over and spanning the plurality of intersecting ribs and openings to pass radiation therethrough.

23. A window for a radiation detection system, the window comprising:

a) a plurality of intersecting ribs defining a grid having openings therein, wherein tops of the ribs terminate substantially in a common plane;

b) the plurality of intersecting ribs being oriented non-perpendicularly with respect to each other and defining non-rectangular openings;

c) the plurality of intersecting ribs include a silicon material;

d) a support frame disposed around a perimeter of the plurality of intersecting ribs; and

e) a film disposed over and spanning the plurality of intersecting ribs and openings to pass radiation therethrough.