Thermal Control Applications |
High Brilliance Rotating X-Ray Anode
Technology Description
The maximum power loading and resulting brilliance of laboratory rotary x-ray sources are currently limited by the heat sinking characteristics of the solid copper targets. This project investigated a two-phase heat transfer method for cooling a thin-walled rotary anode target. Vaporization of coolant in the immediate vicinity of the focal spot can provide greater heat removal and spreading capability than is possible by conduction. Centrifugal forces maintain a liquid layer at the target.
| Potential Benefits High brilliance x-ray sources have uses in x-ray diffraction, protein crystallography, tomography, and lithography. Other applications of this technology include thermal control and high-heat-flux problems in electronics and energy (eg. rotating target tritium generator). |
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Development Status
ESLI performed a Phase 1 SBIR contract with the National Institute of Health (NIH) to develop high brilliance rotary x-ray anodes for medical and industrial applications. Phase 1 efforts addressed heat spreader design, materials selection, and fabrication methods. Initial performance data for closed, rotary, two-phase annular heat spreaders was gathered and compared with thermal model predictions. Phase 2 plans included the development of a prototype high-brilliance anode for use in (anomalous dispersion) protein crystallography. If successful, the project would lead to heat spreader components that could be retrofitted onto conventional laboratory x-ray sources and enable significantly higher x-ray brilliance.
NIH Phase 1 SBIR