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4 PURPOSE
AND
CHARACTERISTICS
4.1 Purpose of the unit
The X-ray unit is a demonstration unit as well as a unit for
laboratory courses. It has been specially developed to fulfil
the requirements of education at schools and universities. In
addition to its use in the education of physics, it can also be
used for education in the medical sector and the related
technical disciplines. A particularly noteworthy distinguishing
feature of this microprocessor-controlled compact unit is the
quick-change feature of the X-ray tubes that enables the per-
formance of experiments with different X-ray tubes and,
thereby, different anode materials.
The following X-ray tubes, which are integrated in special,
ready-to-use plug-in units, are available:
Plug-in unit with a Cu X-ray tube
order no. 09057-51
Plug-in unit with a Mo X-ray tube order no. 09057-61
Plug-in unit with a Fe X-ray tube
order no. 09057-71
Plug-in unit with a W X-ray tube
order no. 09057-81
Do not use other plug-ins (predecessors 09057-50 / -60 /
-70 / -80 are still compatible).
Apart from simple fluoroscopic experiments and experiments
on dosimetry, the integrated rate meter and the additional
goniometer enable spectroscopic experiments on atomic
physics and solid-state physics.
The operating and control parameters are set either directly
on the unit or with a computer via USB.
A colour TFT display in the control panel is used for the direct
control of the unit (and for displaying all of the operating and
control parameters as well as the measurement values). The
keys around the display in the control panel enable the com-
plete operation and control of the unit in its basic functions.
4.2 Overview of the possible experiments
The following experiments can be performed with the unit
and the corresponding additional components:
Radiography of objects and observation with the aid of a
fluoroscopic screen
Preparation of X-ray images of irradiated objects
Detection of the ionising effect of X-rays (dosimetry)
Detection of Bragg reflection
Characterisation of X-ray spectra
Determination of the characteristic X-ray lines of various
anode materials (Cu, Mo, Fe, and W), thereby verifying
Moseley’s law
Detection of the characteristic lines K
α
1
and K
α
2
in higher
order diffraction
Monochromatisation of X-rays with the aid of monocrys-
tals or metal foil
Crystal analysis with the aid of X-ray spectroscopy and
Laue and Debye-Scherrer methods
Determination of Planck’s quantum of action from the
short-wave limit of the bremsspectrum (Duane-Hunt law
of displacement)
Determination of the Rydberg constant
Determination of the absorption coefficients as a function
of the thickness and atomic number of the absorber ma-
terial and of the photon energy
Detection of absorption edges
Demonstration of the effects of contrast media in medical
applications
Compton
scattering
5 FUNCTIONAL AND OPERATING ELEMENTS
5.1 XR 4.0 X-ray expert unit
The XR 4.0 X-ray expert unit includes the following main
components (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3).
5.1.1 Experiment chamber
For performing experiments and for holding additional
equipment, such as a goniometer or other experiment mate-
rial.
5.1.2 Control panel
For setting the operating values and control quantities as well
as for displaying all of the available measurement values.
5.1.3 Tray for accessories
For storing additional components.
5.1.4 Tube plug-in unit with a plug-in bay
Module in which the X-rays are generated.
5.1.5 Socket panel in the experiment chamber
For connecting various components, either for the connection
to the XR 4.0 X-ray expert unit or for the connection to other
peripheral equipment via the socket panel on the outside on
the right-hand side of the unit.
5.1.6 External Socket panel
The external socket panel on the right-hand side of the unit is
the counterpart of the socket panel inside the experiment
chamber.
