Brochure

FAQs about X-ray
X-ray starts with a sample being irradiated by an X-ray source and projected onto a
detector. The geometric magnification M of the image is the ratio of focus-detector
distance (FDD), Focus-object distance (FOD): M=FDD/FOD. The smaller the focal spot,
the greater the resolution. With the nanofocus technology an unique detail detec-
tability down to 0.2 microns can be achieved. phoenix|x-ray systems reach geometric
magnifications over 2,000x resulting in total magnifications beyond 24,000x.
• High power nanofocus X-ray tubes up
to 180 kV and unipolar microfocus X-ray
tubes up to 300 kV maximum voltage.
• Down to 200 nm (0.2 microns) detail
detectability.
• Anti-arcing: dedicated surface treatment
during fabrication and automated warm-
up procedures prevent discharges.
• Self adjustment: all tube adjustments are
performed automatically during warm-up
to achieve optimum results.
• Plug-in cathodes: pre-adjusted spare ca-
thodes prevent malfunction due to wrong
filament adjustment and minimize down-
time to less than 20 min.
• long-life|filament: ensuring high emission
current CT with up to 10 times increased
filament lifetime of directional target
tubes.
• diamond|window: high output of up to
max. 20 W power with high-resolution.
• Target check: target condition is checked
automatically; automatic target wear is
indicated.
One of phoenix|x-ray’s key technology com-
petencies are tube and generator design and
manufacturing ensuring reliable results and
highest up-time.
source
detector
high magnification
object
low magnification
FDD
small FOD large FOD
How X-ray inspection
works
What makes an excellent
X-ray?
The heart of the X-ray machine is an elec-
trodepairconsistingofacathode,thela-
ment, and an anode, that is located inside a
vacuum tube. Current is passed through the
lamentheatingitup,causingthelament
to emit electrons. The positively charged
anode draws the electrons across the tube.
Unlike with conventional X-ray tubes, the
electrons pass through the anode into a spe-
cicallydesignedset-upofelectromagnetic
lenses, where they are bundled and directed
ontoasmallspotonthetarget,aatmetal
disc covered by a layer of tungsten. When
the electrons collide with the target, they in-
teract with the ions in the tungsten, causing
X-rays to be emitted. Key to sharp, crisp
X-ray images at micron or even submicron
resolutions is the size of the focal spot,
meaning the ability to focus the electron
beam in such way that the area on the target
where the electrons hit be as small as pos-
sible – an obstacle yet to be overcome by
conventional X-ray machines.
However, phoenix|x-ray has mastered this
challenge with its unique nanofocus tube
providing detail detectabilities as low as 200
nanometers (0.2 microns).
For ultimate protection of your sample, all
phoenix|x-ray systems come standard with
a password-protected anti-collision fea-
ture. But when inspecting certain samples,
it might become necessary to deactivate
the collision protection, as for example with
25µmbondwires,which,evenformagni-
cations of just 500x, need to be as close as
4 mm to the tube head. phoenix|x-ray has
come up with a solution to give the user
maximumexibilitywhendealingwithvery
small samples: Unlike with conventional
systems, the X-ray tube is located
above the sample tray
allowing the user to
move the sample as
close to the tube head
as needed.
insulator
cathode
(filament)
grid
anode
deflection
unit
magnetic
lens
target
X-ray beam
U
G
U
ACC
U
H
electron beam
FOD‑=‑4 mm: 500 x Sample touching the tube:
Maximum magnification
How X-ray tubes
work
Why can the collision
protection be deactivated?
GE’s unique 180 kV high power nanofocus X‑ray tube