X-ray lens system

Abstract

A modular x-ray lens system for use in directing x-rays comprising a radiation source which generates x-rays and a lens system which directs the x-rays, wherein the x-ray lens system may be configured to focus x-rays to a focal point and vary the intensity of said focal point.

We claim  
     
         1 . An x-ray system for directing x-rays comprising: 
 a lens system which directs said x-rays, wherein said lens system includes at least one lens element having a housing with a generally enclosed interior, said interior of said housing lined with a Bragg x-ray diffraction and reflection layer.    
     
     
         2 . The x-ray system of  claim 1 , wherein said Bragg x-ray diffraction and reflection layer is mosaic crystal.  
     
     
         3 . The x-ray system of  claim 2 , wherein said Bragg x-ray diffraction and reflection layer has a curved cross section lengthwise and said mosaic crystal has a curved crystal plane with a differing radius from that of said curved cross section.  
     
     
         4 . The x-ray system of  claim 1 , wherein said interior of said lens element has a curved cross section lengthwise.  
     
     
         5 . The x-ray system of  claim 1 , wherein said Bragg x-ray diffraction and reflection layer diffracts and transmits said x-rays.  
     
     
         6 . The x-ray system of  claim 1 , wherein said interior of said lens element has a widthwise circular cross section.  
     
     
         7 . The x-ray system of  claim 1 , wherein said interior of said lens element has a conical cross section lengthwise.  
     
     
         8 . the x-ray system of  claim 1 , wherein said interior of said lens element has a rectangular cross section lengthwise.  
     
     
         9 . The x-ray system of  claim 1 , wherein said lens system includes a plurality of lens elements coupled along their symmetric axis.  
     
     
         10 . The x-ray system of  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of lens elements generally form a Johansson crystal reflecting surface.  
     
     
         11 . The x-ray system of  claim 1 , wherein said lens system includes a plurality of lenses elements coupled coaxially.  
     
     
         12 . The x-ray system of  claim 1  further comprising a ring-like apparatus with a filter medium coupled to the center of said ring-like apparatus, wherein said ring-like apparatus occludes a portion of said x-rays which are not incident upon said lens system and do not fall into a focusing region of said lens system, said filter medium filtering a portion of said x-rays which is directed to said focusing region.  
     
     
         13 . The x-ray system of  claim 1 , wherein said lens system focuses said x-rays to a focal point.  
     
     
         14 . The x-ray system of  claim 1  further comprising a beam stopper, wherein said beam stopper blocks said x-rays which are not directed towards a focusing region.  
     
     
         15 . The x-ray system of  claim 14 , wherein said beam stopper blocks unreflected x-rays which are transmitted through said lens system  
     
     
         16 . An x-ray system for focusing x-rays comprising: 
 a modular lens system having a plurality of lenses which collect said x-rays and focus said x-rays to a focal point, wherein x-ray focusing properties of said modular lens system can be varied by removing and adding said lenses or changing the properties of said lenses.    
     
     
         17 . The x-ray system of  claim 16 , wherein said x-ray focusing properties may be selected from the group consisting of: 
 x-ray spectrum bandpass;    working distance;    flux strength    focal spot size; and    focal length.    
     
     
         18 . The x-ray system of  claim 16  wherein each of said plurality of lenses comprises a housing have a Bragg x-ray diffractive and reflective layer.  
     
     
         19 . The x-ray system of  claim 18 , wherein said Bragg x-ray diffractive and reflective layer is comprised of mosaic crystal.  
     
     
         20 . The x-ray system of  claim 18 , wherein said Bragg x-ray diffractive and reflective layer is comprised of graphite.  
     
     
         21 . The x-ray system of  claim 18 , wherein each of said plurality of lenses has an interior surface having a lengthwise curved cross section.  
     
     
         22 . The x-ray system of  claim 18 , wherein each of said plurality of lenses has an interior surface having a widthwise circular cross section.  
     
     
         23 . The x-ray system of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of said plurality of lenses has an interior surface having a lengthwise conical cross section.  
     
     
         24 . The x-ray system of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of said plurality of lenses has an interior surface having a lengthwise rectangular cross section.  
     
     
         25 . The x-ray system of  claim 18 , wherein said plurality of lens elements are coupled coaxially.  
     
     
         26 . The x-ray system of  claim 18 , wherein said plurality of lens elements are coupled along an x-ray source-focus axis.  
     
     
         27 . The x-ray system of  claim 18 , wherein said plurality of lens elements have inner surfaces which generally form a Johansson crystal reflecting surface.  
     
     
         28 . An x-ray lens system comprising: 
 a plurality of lenses, each of said plurality of lenses having a housing with an inner surface lined with graphite;    an x-ray filter proximate said plurality of lenses; and    wherein said inner surfaces of said plurality of lenses in combination are formed to give said x-ray lens system an interior generally spherical surface.    
     
     
         29 . An x-ray system for directing x-rays: 
 a lens system which directs said x-rays, wherein said lens system includes at least one lens element having a cylindrical housing with an interior, said interior of said cylindrical housing lined with mosaic crystal, whereby said mosaic crystal acts as a Bragg or Laue lens to direct said x-rays; and    a masking means for occluding x-rays off axis to said lens system; and    a filter means for filtering x-rays substantially coaxial to said lens system and which are directed to the focusing region.    
     
     
         30 . The x-ray system of  claim 29 , wherein said masking means occludes x-rays which are not intercepted by said lens system and x-rays which are not deflected towards a focal point of said lens system.  
     
     
         31 . An x-ray system for directing x-rays comprising: 
 a lens having a Bragg x-ray diffractive layer, wherein said directed x-rays are transmitted and diffracted through said lens.    
     
     
         32 . The x-ray system of  claim 31 , wherein said lens has a ring configuration.  
     
     
         33 . The x-ray system of  claim 31 , wherein said lens is constructed from a plurality of concentric rings of mosaic crystal forming a plurality of diffractive layers.  
     
     
         34 . The x-ray lens system of  claim 31  further comprising an x-ray filter.  
     
     
         35 . A method of forming an x-ray lens from a crystal block comprising the steps of: 
 generating a bending force;    orienting said crystal block with reference to said bending force; and    bending said crystal block with said bending force to create a curved surface.    
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising the step of mounting a reinforcement plate on said crystal block.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising the step of mounting an inner guiding plate and outer guiding plate on said crystal block.  
     
     
         38 . A method of forming a lens element from graphite crystal comprising the steps of: 
 mounting a reinforcement plate on a graphite crystal plate;    orienting said graphite crystal plate with respect to guiding plates on a rod; and    applying bending forces with said rod to said reinforcement plate, said bending forces bending said graphite crystal plate.    
     
     
         39 . A method of forming an x-ray lens from crystal comprising the steps of: 
 mounting a crystal plate in a conical ring;    generating a linear force which propels a conical rod; and    actuating said conical rod onto the surface of said crystal plate to form said crystal plate into a conical shape.