Physics Commons^™

Design Of High Performance Soft X-Ray Windows, Raymond T. Perkins, David D. Allred, Larry V. Knight, James M. Thorne

Faculty Publications

X-ray windows are used in sources and detectors to separate the neighborhood of the x-ray generation or detection from the use environment. While each use has its own requirements, there are some principles that should be used in designing an optimal x-ray window. Because x-rays are absorbed to some extent by all materials, minimizing absorption is one criterion in preparing windows. Also, for most uses there is a pressure difference across the window so that ensuring pinhole-free structure and sufficient mechanical strength to support the differential is another criterion for window design. Traditionally, absorption is minimized by fabricating the window …