Generation of flash X rays using a mercury-anode radiation tube

The constructions and the radiographic characteristics of a flash X-ray generator having a liquid anode radiation tube are described. This generator consisted of the following essential components: a high-voltage power supply, a combined ceramic condenser of 10.7 nF, an oil-diffusion pump, an oil circulator, a trigger device, and a flash X-ray tube. The X-ray tube was of a triode and was composed of the following major devices: a mercury anode, a rod-shaped graphite cathode, a trigger electrode made from a copper wire, an X-ray window made from a polyethyleneterephthalate film, and a glass tube body. The ceramic condenser was charged from 40 to 60 kV by a power supply, and the electric charges in the condenser were discharged to the X-ray tube after the triggering. The maximum tube voltage was equivalent to the initial charged voltage of the condenser, and the tube current was less than 0.7 kA. The pulse widths of the flash X rays had values of about 1 μs, and the time-integrated X-ray intensity was about 2.4 μC/kg at 0.26 m per pulse with a charged voltage of 60 kV