Construction of a Ultrananocrystalline Diamond Based Cold Cathode Arrays for a Flat-Panel X-Ray Source

Abstract

A novel cold cathode field emission array (FEA) X-ray source based on ultra-nanocrystalline diamond (UNCD) field emitters is being constructed as an alternative for detection of obscured objects and material. Depending on the geometry of the given situation the flat-panel X-ray source could be used in tomography, radiography, or tomosynthesis. Furthermore, the unit could be used as a portable X-ray scanner or an integral part of an existing detection system. UNCD field emitters show great field emission output and can be deposited over large areas as the case with carbon nanotube "forest" (CNT) cathodes. Furthermore, UNCDs have better mechanical and thermal properties as compared to CNT tips which further extend the lifetime of UNCD based FEA. This work includes the first generation of the UNCD based FEA prototype which is being manufactured at the Center for Nanoscale Materials within Argonne National Laboratory with standard microfabrication techniques. The prototype is a 3x3 pixel FEA, with a pixel pitch of 500 ?m, where each pixel is individually controllable.

Meeting Name

Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XVIII

Department(s)

Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science

Sponsor(s)

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

Keywords and Phrases

Field Emission; Flat-Panel X-Ray Source; Ultra-Nanocrystalline Diamonds (UNCD)

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2013 SPIE, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2013

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