Energy yields in the generafion of monochromatic X-rays by electron bombardment are poor and the utilization of X-rays is even more wasteful, particularly in X-ray diffraction. Only a small stereoangle of radiation issuing from a flat target passes through the collimator of a camera.

An end-window X-ray tube using a conical cavity as a target is more economical, since there is a finite probability of several excitation acts by one electron in the cavity. A major part of the radiation emerges from the tube in a stereoangle of ≈ 0.02 instead of 2π steradian. This and the proximity of the tube focus to the sample are favorable for X-ray diffraction, as will be demonstrated in several examples. The geometry and performance of the tube are also expected to provide a superior replacement for the weak isotopic sources normally used in energy dispersive analysis.

Several versions of the tube, covered by U.S. Patent 3,584,219, H. K. Herglotz and C. D. Reilly, are described. Of particular interesf for X-ray diffraction is a double cavity tube with 2 exit ports. The Iow power consumption of the tubes (35 kV, 1 mA or less) requires only a small power supply. All equipmenf for XRD work including batteries can be accommodated in a suitcase and therefore lends itself to field use by mineralogists, for example, or in materials testing.