Back-Reflection Laue Detector Collimator Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing back-reflection Laue systems face challenges such as shadow regions caused by collimators, increased cost and reduced compactness in twin-camera systems, and external light interference and beam divergence in modified single-camera systems.
Innovation Solution
A back-reflection Laue apparatus with a collimator assembly that terminates between the exterior and reflective interior surfaces of the reflection chamber, allowing for beam modification and external light prevention, combined with a detector assembly for enhanced image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the collimator extends well into the reflection chamber to collimate the X-ray beam, then the beam collimation is improved, but shadow regions are created that hide Laue spots
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is repositioned from extending deep into the reflection chamber (one dimension) to terminating at or near the aperture plane (changing the dimensional arrangement). This spatial reconfiguration allows the collimator to maintain beam collimation while eliminating the shadow region problem that occurred when it extended into the chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful function of the collimator (creating shadow regions) is separated from its useful function (collimating the beam). By extracting the collimator from the reflection chamber interior and positioning it at or near the aperture, the shadow-causing aspect is removed while the collimation function is preserved through alternative means.
2Loss of information
If the collimator terminates before the aperture to avoid shadow regions, then shadow effects are reduced, but external light can enter through the gap and disrupt measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture in the mirror assembly serves as an intermediary structure that performs multiple functions: it allows the X-ray beam to pass through while blocking external light from entering the reflection chamber. The collimator positioned at or near this aperture works in conjunction with it to achieve both shadow reduction and light exclusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: collimating the X-ray beam, blocking external light, and defining the beam path. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components that would create gaps or shadow regions.
3Loss of information
If the collimator terminates before the aperture, then shadow regions are reduced, but the X-ray beam becomes more divergent
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator performs the collimation action at the aperture plane itself, before the beam enters the reflection chamber. This preliminary collimation at the critical aperture location ensures the beam remains well-collimated throughout its path, preventing divergence while avoiding shadow region creation.
4Loss of information
If a twin-camera system is used to avoid collimator shadow, then shadow effects are eliminated, but the system becomes more expensive and less compact
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using two cameras to avoid the collimator shadow (the conventional approach), the invention inverts the problem by repositioning the collimator itself to eliminate the shadow. This single-camera solution with repositioned collimator achieves the same goal as the twin-camera system but with reduced complexity and improved compactness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces shadow effects, maintains compactness, and prevents external light interference, enabling accurate and efficient crystal orientation measurements in back-reflection Laue systems.
Implementation Method 1
a collimator for collimating the X-ray radiation into an X-ray beam
Implementation Method 2
a reflective interior surface for back-reflecting the visible radiation
Implementation Method 3
the scintillator for converting the transmitted X-ray beam into visible radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A back-reflection Laue apparatus and a method are provided. The apparatus includes a source for generating X-ray radiation, a collimator for collimating the X-ray radiation into an X-ray beam; a back-reflection Laue chamber for transmitting the beam therethrough towards a sample, and back-reflecting visible radiation obtained from the beam being diffracted off the sample and converted to visible radiation upon re-entering the chamber, the chamber comprising a reflection side wall having an exterior surface and a reflective interior surface for back-reflecting the visible radiation, the wall being provided with a through-hole extending from the exterior surface to the reflective interior surface; and a detector assembly for detecting the back-reflected visible radiation. The collimator has a first end connected to the source and a second end terminating between the exterior surface and the reflective interior surface of the wall, within the through-hole, the beam exiting the collimator at the second end.