Importance

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Abstract

The generation of X-radiation occurs when a powder (14,24,38,47,58) is sucted to electro-dispersion in an evacuated chamber. The powder is of a conducting or semiconducting material, and is supported on the lower of two electrodes (10,11; 22,25; 36,39; 44,48; 52,56) in the chamber. When the chamber pressure is about 10.sup.-5 Torr or lower, and a high voltage is applied across the electrodes, part of the powder forms a dispersed particulate cloud in the space between the electrodes. The dispersion of the powder results in the generation of X-radiation which is transmitted through the wall (13) of the chamber or through a window (28,35,45) in the apparatus. Visible light is produced if a phosphor (29) is included in the chamber, and is irradiated by X-rays generated upon dispersion of the powder, or if the powder includes particles of a phosphor.

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First Claim