X-ray Windows

X-ray devices have become ubiquitous in the marketplace. The X-ray device market is divided into Portable and Stationary product types. The Market is also divided by technologies like Analog, Computed Radiography (CR) and Digital Radiography (DR). The Digital Radiography market is further segmented into Flat Panel Detectors (FPD) and High Density Line Scan Solid State Detector. The applications include at a minimum; Medical, Non-Destructive Testing, and Security Detection has driven the rapid spread of X-ray instruments including a myriad of handheld devices.

ARC fabricates X-ray windows having developed processes for: forming the metal can, bonding the Beryllium, depositing the window coating(s), depositing Boron Hydride and Parylene passivation layers, and final leak testing. These processes apply to both the Emitter and Detector windows as required.

In order to accomplish these processes with near 100% yield, high precision holding fixtures have been developed using ARC’s Ultra Machining Fab. Achieving the gas tight bonding of the Beryllium to the metal can is essential to the Window’s performance and here again precision tooling is required.

Typical SSD Detectors
Figure 1. Typical SSD Detectors (Image Courtesy of Amptek)

ARC is a unique partner to our customers since few Micro-Nano Fabrication companies offer an Ultra Machining Fabrication capability as well. Further both capabilities offer Prototype to Moderate production volumes as well.

This unique combination ensures that the needed tooling and fixtures are synergistically designed and fabricated with the Micro-Nano Fab to produce the exacting physical requirements of the Window processes with near 100% yields.

An example of this process is the fabrication of the ARC leak testing apparatus. In order to provide our customers with the absolute highest quality in an X-ray Window, the final part must be absolutely leak free. Further this fact must be confirmed by the customer.

Figure 2 (Image Courtesy of Amptek)
A typical Be window from the ARC production line (top view)
Figure 3. A typical Be window from the ARC production line (top view)

XRF Film Thickness QC

ARC utilizes the XRF to ensure that every window has the proper Be coating thickness for any given element, e.g. gold or tungsten.

Special holding fixtures are made which allow part by part processing and tracking from Beryllium (Be) bonding, thin film sputter deposition, Boron Hydride and Parylene CVD coatings, to final QC and part serialization as required.

ARC's XRF tool
Figure 4. ARC's XRF tool is used for 100% QC

Passivation – Boron Hydride & Parylene

It has been shown that coating the Be window with Boron Hydride and/or a polymer such as Parylene, improves certain performance characteristics:

• Passivation to resist corrosion
• Gas impenetrability @ 1 Atm.
• High temperature endurance
• Differential strength @ 1 Atm.

These improvements are with minimal X-ray attenuation.

ARC offers these coatings for its X-ray window customers.

Contact Steve Ellison at 651-789-9011 or reach out via our contact page with your project requirements.