The perfect X-ray tube for PANalytical
X-ray tubes have been around for a long time. But depending on the application, its design and effectiveness can still be improved. The problem, however, is that there are many parameters that influence the operation of an X-ray tube and that calculating a new design takes a lot of time. This must be possible faster and smarter, according to producer PANalytical. CQM developed a new and efficient design model.
What does PANalytical do?
PANalytical, formerly Philips Analytical, is a leading global supplier of analytical X-ray analysis equipment for industrial applications and scientific research. PANalytical is the only supplier that also develops and produces the X-ray tubes itself. Since 2002, PANalytical has been part of the British technology group Spectris.
Note: On January 1, 2017, PANalytical merged its operations with Malvern Instruments, a UK-based supplier of materials and biophysical characterization technology and also an operating company within the Materials Analysis segment of Spectris.
For a new device, the company wanted to improve an existing tube. Previously, a tube was designed based on customer requirements. The result was an improved design, but not necessarily the best-fitting design. PANalytical contacted CQM to improve the design process.
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Electrons, parameters, and factors
Although an X-ray tube is obviously designed to produce X-rays, the electric field within the tube determines its quality and the precision of the analysis. This high-voltage field is generated by a voltage difference between the cathode and the anode. This causes electrons to be released from the cathode; upon striking the anode, they generate X-rays. The tube's dimensions and the placement of its various components such as those for cooling influence the electric field. Consequently, many factors must be considered when optimizing the tube. Any change to a single parameter can either impair or improve the tube's overall performance.
Making choices
“We began by studying candidate designs and describing them using eleven parameters,” says Peter Stehouwer of CQM. “These parameters related to the position and dimensions of the components within the X-ray tube. PANalytical already possessed a simulation tool to calculate the effects of parameter changes. However, such a simulation takes one to two hours per analysis. Together with the PANalytical team, we further mapped out the design space: what could vary, and by how much? What were the interdependencies between parameters, and what were the constraints? We also made decisions regarding how to evaluate the simulation results. These results included the electric field, which was visualized as an image. However, since an image is harder to interpret than a numerical value, we converted it into a summary of physical characteristics. This summary proved sufficiently representative to evaluate the electric field as a whole.”
Much faster
The next step was crucial: modeling the electric field characteristics as a function of the design parameters. Peter: “First, PANalytical simulated a carefully selected list of potential designs. Based on those results, CQM then developed a new model capable of rapidly predicting the electric field properties for any given design far faster than the simulation itself. While we do sacrifice a degree of prediction accuracy compared to the simulation, the gain in speed allowed us to systematically explore a vast number of designs in a short time and thereby arrive at the optimal design.”
The optimal X-ray tube
Thanks to the model-based approach, the design challenge was reduced to a mathematical optimization problem, allowing us to select an optimal design through a step-by-step process. Moreover, the new model provides PANalytical with greater insight into the effects of the various design parameters. The result: an optimal X-ray tube. Gert van Dorssen, group leader at PANalytical, says: “The great thing about this project is that we were able to combine CQM’s expertise with PANalytical’s knowledge in a fantastic way. This was co-makership at its best. A wonderful challenge in a pleasant atmosphere and, above all, a perfect result.”
Making texts/images public and/or reproducing them is permitted only with the express consent of CQM.
Photo credits: CQM and PANalytical.
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