Boron X-ray Window with Support Ribs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing x-ray windows lack strength, high x-ray transmissivity, especially for low-energy x-rays, while being impervious to gas, visible light, and infrared light, and are difficult to manufacture using materials with low atomic numbers.
Innovation Solution
The x-ray window design incorporates a support structure with a boron layer and boron ribs, which are hermetically sealed and aligned with support ribs, providing strength and high x-ray transmissivity, and can be manufactured using low atomic number materials like silicon and boron, with optional aluminum layers for improved light blocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional materials are used for x-ray windows, then strength is improved, but x-ray transmissivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a silicon support frame with boron-coated surfaces and internal boron ribs. The silicon provides mechanical strength while the boron coating (with low atomic number) ensures high x-ray transmissivity. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties: silicon for structural integrity and boron for x-ray transparency.
2Reliability
If low atomic number materials are used, then x-ray transmissivity is improved, but strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The window is segmented into distinct functional components: a silicon support frame providing strength, boron coating layers providing x-ray transmissivity, and internal boron ribs providing additional structural support. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while working together as an integrated system, resolving the strength-transmissivity tradeoff.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the window have different material compositions optimized for their specific functions. The silicon frame and ribs provide structural strength where needed, while the boron coating layers provide x-ray transparency in the radiation path. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between overall strength and x-ray transmissivity.
3Reliability
If hermetic sealing is implemented, then gas imperviousness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hermetic sealing function is merged with the structural support ribs. The boron-coated support ribs serve dual purposes: providing mechanical support and forming part of the hermetic seal when coated with boron. This integration reduces manufacturing complexity by combining sealing and support functions into a single structural element rather than requiring separate sealing components.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4a~4c
Figure 5~7
AI summary
An x-ray window (10, 30, 40a, 40b, 40c, 140) can include a thin film (31) that comprises boron. The thin film can be relatively thin, such as for example ≤ 200 nm. This x-ray window can be strong; can have high x-ray transmissivity; can be impervious to gas, visible light, and infrared light; can be easy of manufacture; can be made of materials with low atomic numbers, or combinations thereof. The thin film can include an aluminum layer (32). A support structure (11) can provide additional support to the thin film. The support structure can include a support frame (11F) encircling an aperture (15) and support ribs (11R) extending across the aperture with gaps (13) between the support ribs. The support structure can also include boron ribs (22) aligned with the support ribs.