New: Collimator add-on for X-ray tubes

Citation

(2003), "New: Collimator add-on for X-ray tubes", Soldering & Surface Mount Technology, Vol. 15 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ssmt.2003.21915aad.003

New: Collimator add-on for X-ray tubes

New: Collimator add-on for X-ray tubes

Keywords: X-ray

Feinfocus Röntgen-Systeme GmbH has developed a collimator add-on for feinfocus transmissional X-ray tubes, for image quality improvement (Figure 1).

Without any constructional limitations, X-rays would normally be emerging from the target of an X-ray tube not in a neat cone angle, but in every possible direction. With the X-rays then being reflected from everywhere within the X-ray system, the amount of stray or scattered radiation would be substantial and, consequently, result in a rather weak and blurry X-ray image being produced.

Figure 1 Feinfocus transmissional X-ray tube without/with collimator

A standard X-ray tube housing usually contains a tiny aperture through which the generated radiation is directed and, thus, emitted in form of a cone angle, limiting the amount of stray radiation, and improving the image contrast. However, it cannot be denied that there remains a certain level of stray radiation even with this aperture – although certainly a considerably reduced level that does not conflict with most standard inspections.

The collimator is a thin metal plate available for all feinfocus transmissional X-ray tubes and can easily be mounted without any additional tools.