Electron beam accelerator and ceramic stage with electrically-conductive layer or coating therefor

Abstract

A ceramic electron beam accelerator is disclosed finding particularly efficacious uses in X-ray electronic circuit imaging and testing applications. The ceramic stage design eliminates the need for placing metal reinforcements between adjoining stages of the accelerator, thereby increasing the accelerator's mechanical robustness and reliability, while also reducing manufacturing costs.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to the field of electron beam accelerators, and more particularly to apparatus, systems and methods for testing solder joints in printed circuit boards by X-ray imaging. Background technique [0002] Automated X-ray inspection (AXI) is an important technology used by electronics manufacturers to "see" through obstructions on densely packed printed circuit boards to detect manufacturing defects such as hidden solder-related issues. One machine used for AXI is Agilent's 5DX automated x-ray testing system, which is capable of detecting more than 97% of all solder-related defects such as opens, shorts, open solder joints, and insufficient or excessive solder, as well as printed circuit More than 90% of all manufacturing defects on board assemblies (PCBAs). Automated X-ray inspection is often used in conjunction with other test solutions such as Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) and in-circuit test (ICT). [0003] X-ray test...

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Problems solved by technology

[0011] It will now be seen that the formation of the complex shapes and forms of the glass bodies 292, 294, 296 and 298, the ferrules 252, 254, 256 and 258 and the stainless steel beam directors 312, 314, 316 and 318, and the expensive use of materials that increase the manufacturing cost of the accelerator 220

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