New generation of polycapillary lenses: manufacture and applications

A polycapillary x-ray lens is an effective element for radiation control. However, owing to the influence of several factors (efficiency of radiation capture by the capillary, absorption of radiation during its propagation through the capillary, etc.), a photon energy exists at which the lens has a maximum efficiency. The value of this energy is mainly determined by the diameter of the individual capillaries. In this paper, a new generation of polycapillary lenses with a combined structure is proposed. The developed lens consists of structures with different channel sizes and glass types. Capillary channels with larger sizes transport radiation of lower energies more effectively and capillary channels with smaller sizes transport radiation of higher energies more effectively. A comparison of the characteristic parameters of conventional lenses with a homogeneous structure and of new lenses with a combined structure was carried out. Examples of applications of these new lenses are given. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.