JPH02253547A - X-ray fluorescent image intensifying tube - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To permit receiving an X-ray image of a large visual field in any shape by using formed bodies in tapered shape, prepared through the process of contacting and bundling optical fibers together. CONSTITUTION:A vacuum envelope 1 has a photoreceptor layer 2 in any shape, e.g. a square, formed via a protective coat 6 so that the field of an X-ray image having any shape and a large visual field may be received. A set of formed bodies 7, 7' in tapered shape, prepared through the process of contacting and bundling optical fibers together, is connected to the rear face of the photoreceptor layer 2, and the formed body 7 is made in same shape and the same area as the photoreceptor layer 2, while the rear face of the formed body 7' is rounded. An X-ray image rounded by the formed body 7' is focused on an output fluorescent screen 5 via a focusing electrode 4. This focused image is restored to an image similar to an X-ray image entered via an output-portion optical fiber 7'' of a figure similar to an optical fiber bundle at an input portion.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application fields] This invention is utilized in the field of X-ray processing.

The present invention relates to an X-ray fluorescence intensifier, and more particularly to an X-ray fluorescence intensifier that converts a fluoroscopic X-ray image of a subject into a visible light image and multiplies it, and particularly relates to an improvement in its input section.

[Prior Art] FIG. 6 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a conventional X-ray fluorescence intensifier tube.

In this drawing, 1 is a vacuum envelope, 2 and 3 are input surfaces, and there is a phosphor layer 2 on the outside that emits light when stimulated by X-rays through a curved substrate, and a phosphor layer 2 on the inside that emits light. A charging surface 3 which emits photoelectrons upon sensing is supported. 4
is a focusing electrode, and 5 is an output fluorescent screen. The focusing electrode 4 constitutes an electron lens, accelerates the electrons emitted from the photocathode 3, forms an image on the output phosphor screen 5, and emits light.

The X-ray fluorescence multiplier tube thus consists of a vacuum envelope 1 made of glass, a phosphor g2 disposed within the glass envelope, a photocathode 3, a focusing electrode 4, and an output phosphor screen 5. . As described above, when the X-rays enter the input screen, visible light is emitted within the phosphor layer 2, and this light causes the photocathode 3 to emit photoelectrons. The photoelectrons are accelerated and focused by the focusing electrode 4 and form a bright visible light image on the output phosphor screen 5.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] It is desired that such an X-ray fluorescence intensifier tube be applied to a large field of view, but in order to satisfy this requirement, the vacuum envelope must necessarily have a large shape. Since vacuum tubes are used, it is difficult to increase the size.

Furthermore, since the image is focused and accelerated using an electron lens, only a circular field of view can be obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an X-ray fluorescence intensifier tube that can accept and apply a large field of view and an X-ray image field that is not limited to a circular shape.

[Tanu's Means for Solving the Problems] The above purpose is to provide a tapered molded body in which optical fibers are tightly bundled at the X-ray image incident side end of a vacuum envelope having a focusing electrode and an output phosphor screen inside. This is accomplished by forming the end face of the expanding part into an arbitrary shape as an input surface using the phosphor layer and its am-retaining layer, and the end face of the converging part being circular to form a charging surface.

[Operation: A visible light image formed on a phosphor layer made into an arbitrary shape is deformed into a circular shape by a tapered molded body tightly bundled with optical fibers, and this is converted into photoelectrons by a charging surface in a vacuum tube. After the light is accelerated and focused by a focusing electrode and formed into a bright visible light image on the output phosphor screen, the output section preferably adds a molded body in which optical fibers of similar shape to the input section are closely bundled to restore the light image. .

(Embodiments) Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing one embodiment.

Figure 2 is an end view on the left side, that is, on the side where the X-ray fluoroscopic image enters.
An embodiment with a square input surface is shown.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 1--2 in FIG. 1, and shows the circular shape necessary for the connection between the photocathode and the focusing electrode.

The X-ray fluorescence intensifier tube according to the present invention is different from the conventional example shown in FIG. has been done.

The end face on the incident side of the optical fiber molded body 7 is formed into any shape by the phosphor layer 2 and its protection 1113, but in this embodiment, it is square as shown in FIG. Also,
The end face of the optical fiber molded body 7°' on the side of the photocathode 3 must be circular, as shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the operation inside the vacuum envelope 1 is the same as in the conventional example, and is as follows.

When X-rays are incident on an input section made into an arbitrary shape, they are converted into visible light within the phosphor layer 2 within the input section.

This visible light is emitted from the optical fiber molded body 7.7' while changing the image shape into a circle outside the vacuum. ! It reaches the photocathode 3 in the SL.

Photoelectrons are emitted by the light reaching the photocathode 3.

The emitted electrons are focused and accelerated by the focusing electrode 4 and form a bright visible light image on the output phosphor screen 5.

The image formed on the output fluorescent light N5 is returned to the same image as the X-ray image incident on the input section by the output section optical fiber molded body 7'' having a similar shape to the input section.

4 is a right side end view of the optical fiber molded body 7'', and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line v--2 in FIG. 1.

According to this invention, if the output image of the X-ray fluorescence image intensifier tube is to be observed only through the television, the optical fiber molded body 7'' at the output section is not necessary, and the television image is digitally processed and the image is used as the basis. It can be returned.

〔effect〕

By creating a large input surface with an arbitrary shape, the field of view can be used more effectively than a conventional circular input surface. Also,
By making the input section and output section interchangeable, it is possible to select one that is far away from each imaging region. Furthermore, since the vacuum tube section is smaller, manufacturing becomes easier.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an end view on the incident side thereof, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line ■-■ in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line v--■ in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional example. 1 is a vacuum envelope, 5 is an output fluorescent screen, 6 is a shape, and 8 is an input section. 2 is a phosphor layer, 3 is a photocathode, 7 is an optical fiber layer, 9 is a vacuum tube section, 0 is an output section

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A tapered molded body in which optical fibers are closely bundled is connected to the X-ray image incident side end of a vacuum envelope that has a focusing electrode and an output phosphor screen inside, and the end face of the enlarged part is used as an input surface for the phosphor. An X-ray fluorescence multiplier tube, characterized in that it is formed into an arbitrary shape by a layer and its protective film layer, and the end face of the convergence part is circular to form a photocathode.