Table of contents

In this preface a brief history, modern aspects and future tendencies in development of the X-ray technique as seen from the 3rd International Conference on X-ray Technique that was held on 24–25 November 2016 in Saint Petersburg, Russia are described

On 24–25 November 2016 in Saint Petersburg on the basis of Saint Petersburg State Electrotechnical University "LETI" n. a. V. I. Ulyanov (Lenin) was held the 3rd International Conference on X-ray Technique. The tradition to hold a similar conference in our country was laid in Soviet times. The last of them, the All-Union Conference on the Prospects of X-ray Tubes and Equipment was organized and held more than a quarter century ago – on 21–23 November 1999, at the initiative and under the leadership of the chief engineer of the Leningrad association of electronic industry "Svetlana" Borovsky Alexander Ivanovich and the chief of special design bureau of X-ray devices of "Svetlana" Shchukin Gennady Anatolievich. The most active part in the organization and work of the conference played members of the department of X-ray and electron beam instruments of Leningrad Electrotechnical Institute "LETI" (the former name of Saint Petersburg State Electrotechnical University "LETI"), represented by head of the department professor Ivanov Stanislav Alekseevich.

All papers published in this volume of Journal of Physics: Conference Series have been peer reviewed through processes administered by the proceedings Editors. Reviews were conducted by expert referees to the professional and scientific standards expected of a proceedings journal published by IOP Publishing.

The article describes the basic methods of X-ray images digital processing. Also in the article is proposed method for background image aligning based on modeling of distorting function and subtracting it from the image. As a result is proposed the improved algorithm for locally adaptive median filtering for which has been carried out the effectiveness experimental verification.

The work presents short discussion of TXRF and PIXE methods peculiarities. Taking into account of these peculiarities we elaborate the experimental scheme for TXRF measurements at ion beam excitation of characteristical fluorescence. The scheme is built on base of the planar X-ray waveguide-resonator with specific design. Features of the new experimental method and possibilities of Sokol-3 ion beam analytical complex were used for the method application in real measurements.

In the article on the example of the straightener blade made of polymer composite materials, discusses the advantages of using the method of microfocus X-ray for nondestructive testing of aviation products. Described basic types of defects characteristics occurring in a similar type parts both during their manufacture and during their operation, namely, interlayer delamination, pores and wrinkles. Peculiarities of microfocus X-ray are shown, which is the use of radiation sources with a focal spot size of less than 100 μm. These features make it possible to increase the details and therefore, to minimize the size of detected defects in transmission. On the basis of experimental studies were defined radiographic signs of major types of defects, typical for products made of polymeric composite materials. Calculated time costs of personnel required for high-resolution X-ray recording and evaluation of test results.

Results of own works of the authors and works of the Russian, Japanese, Korean and American experts in creation nanocomposites of refractory metals with increased strength characteristics for cathodes are analyzed in this report. It is shown, that though monocrystals have shown the better characteristics in comparison with traditional polycrystals as cathodes, more radical way of increase of operational characteristics of the X-ray tubes is application refractory nanostructural materials. Some results of investigations in which the work function electrons of nanocrystal tungsten is lower by 0.8 eV than that of traditional tungsten are given. This effect is able to increase the intensity of X-radiation considerably (by a factor of more than 5) at the same cathode temperatures or decrease the temperature of a cathode by 400 °C at the same intensity of X-radiation.

Using vacuum arc plasma sources allows obtaining coatings with broad spectrum of functional properties. The main problem is to control the thickness of a formed coating. This paper shows the possibility of using X-ray radiation to determine the coating thickness.

Carbon nanotubes are unique materials being actively investigated in the development of X-ray tubes with a field cathode. The so-called cold-ray tubes. Our contribution in this direction is the use of single crystals W for the anodes and cathodes as substrates. Here are the structures we obtained carbon nanotubes with the catalysts and directly on the surface of tungsten. The report presents results of studies of carbon nanotubes (CNT) formation on metal substrates W and Ni. X-ray microprobe analysis revealed the presence of 8 at. % carbon. Average density of the powder was measured as 5.1 ± 0.1 g/cm³. Calculations have shown that this value corresponds to the density of the carbon content of 8 at. %.

In this paper the features of controlling of the anode current of the X-ray tubes during their training and testing are described. Requirements for developing of the control and measuring equipment are given. In detail are shown the approaches to the development of two types of microammeters with optical signal transmission: analog, with compensation of the nonlinearity of the transfer characteristics with the use of the optical negative feedback, and digital, in which the values of anodic current are transfered using a microcontroller.

The tomosynthesis technology is on the fringe of linear and computer tomography, combining high information capacity and low exposure. Diagnosing pathology of chest organs at early stages is complicated due to overlapping views of the lung and bone tissues. By using different X-ray energy ranges tissues with different absorption factors are separated and their separate images are received. This technology ensures that pathology is revealed at the early stage during routine screening.

The current study is focused on determining the optimal tube voltage for the conventional X-ray digital chest screening examinations, using a visual grading analysis method. Chest images of an anthropomorphic phantom were acquired in posterior-anterior projection on four digital X-ray units with different detector types. X-ray images obtained with an anthropomorphic phantom were accepted by the radiologists as corresponding to a normal human anatomy, hence allowing using phantoms in image quality trials without limitations.

Design and main constructive features of a new combined device for X-ray electron and X-ray microscopy for nanometer diagnostics are considered in relation to the current status of modern X-ray and electron microscopy.

This article presents the results of research in the field of creation of basic elements of high-voltage components for projection radiography. Design and characteristics of the three types of microfocus X-ray tubes of the new generation: with rotating and fixed anodes, and with external target are described.

Currently, there is a tendency in the industry by refusing isotopic radiation sources in favor of the X-ray machines. This is due to several factors, main among them radiation safety and maintenance problems, movement and disposal of gamma-ray sources. Compared to the gamma ray-source these devices have a number of disadvantages. The spectral energy distribution and therefore change in the spectrum as the radiation passes through the controlled material. Instability of radiation compared with gamma sources. All this complicates the use of X-ray sources for the materials thickness measurement with different chemical compositions.

One of the main problems during designing of X-ray apparatuses for the operation in unsteady condition is the problem of designing a unit of minimal weight and dimensions. There are two key priorities: the development of pulsed X-Ray generators on the basis of explosive electron emission and the development of classic thermionic X-ray generators operating at high frequency of transformation of supply mains' voltage to voltage applied to the X-ray tube.

This article presents the results of research in the field of creation of portable X-ray diagnostic apparatuses for medical purposes. Preconditions for X-ray studies in nonstationary and nonspecialized conditions are provided. The design and examples of the use of portable X-ray diagnostic complex for neonatology are described.