Polycapillary X-ray Optic with Bragg Reflector for Intensity and Monochromaticity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing x-ray beam systems struggle to optimize beam characteristics such as spatial definition, spectrum purity, and intensity independently, with previous solutions either failing to deliver efficient coupling with the source or resulting in inefficient beam focusing and monochromaticity.

Innovation Solution

An x-ray system comprising a waveguide bundle optic, such as a polycapillary optic, coupled with a focusing optic having a Bragg reflective surface, like a Kirkpatrick-Baez or paraboloidal optic, to capture and focus x-ray radiation at a large capture angle, ensuring a collimated and high-intensity beam.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If polycapillary optics are used to capture x-rays at large angles, then beam intensity is improved, but beam monochromaticity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam intensityVSAvoidbeam monochromaticity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the beam conditioning function into two separate components: polycapillary optics for spatial conditioning and intensity enhancement, and Bragg crystal optics for spectral conditioning and monochromaticity. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The Bragg crystal optics acts as an intermediary element between the polycapillary optics and the sample. It receives the high-intensity beam from the polycapillary optics and filters it to produce a monochromatic beam, mediating between the intensity enhancement function and the spectral purity requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If beam spatial definition is improved, then beam focusing is improved, but beam intensity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam spatial definitionVSAvoidbeam intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The polycapillary optics performs preliminary spatial conditioning of the x-ray beam before it reaches the Bragg crystal optics. By pre-collimating and defining the beam spatial characteristics, the subsequent focusing and monochromatization stages can operate more efficiently without losing intensity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If close coupling to x-ray source is implemented, then capture angle is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapture angleVSAvoidsystem configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The polycapillary optics serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a beam condenser to increase capture angle, a spatial filter to define beam characteristics, and a positioning element to couple the source with subsequent optics. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This configuration enables the delivery of a collimated, high-intensity beam with controlled beam size and desired ray configuration, overcoming previous inefficiencies and achieving superior beam performance.

Implementation Method 1

waveguide bundle based optic, such as polycapillary optic, coupled with a focusing optic having a Bragg reflective surface, like a Kirkpatrick-Baez or paraboloidal optic, to capture and focus x-ray radiation at a large capture angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal external reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

focusing optic having a Bragg reflective surface, like a Kirkpatrick-Baez or paraboloidal optic, to capture and focus x-ray radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBragg diffraction: Bragg Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP2263238B1X-ray generator with polycapillary optic
Publication Date: 2012.06.20 RIGAKU INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • EP2263238B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2263238B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An x-ray generating system includes a source of x-ray radiation, a waveguide bundle optic for collimating the x-ray radiation produced by the source, a focusing optic for focusing the collimated x-ray radiation to a focal point.