Electrophotographic x-ray device

An electrophotographic diffractometer apparatus, comprising a photoconductive storage member, means for uniformly charging said storage member, means for holding a diffraction specimen, means for directing a collimated beam of electromagnetic radiation to said specimen, whereby diffracted rays of said beam are directed to said charge storage member and produce discharged local areas thereon in accordance with the diffraction characteristics of said specimen, and scanning means for electrically measuring the charge pattern at said storage member.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrophotographic diffractometer apparatus comprising

a. a photoconductive storage member;

b. means for uniformly charging said storage member;

c. means for holding a diffraction specimen;

d. means for directing a collimated beam of electromagnetic radiation to said specimen, whereby diffracted rays of said beam are directed to said charge storage member and produce discharged local areas thereon in accordance with the diffraction characteristics of said specimen; and

e. scanning means for electrically measuring the charge pattern at said storage member, said scanning means comprising said charging means and said measuring means.

2. An electrophotographic diffractometer apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said measuring means comprises a scanning device.

3. An electrophotographic diffractometer apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said scanning means is rotatable about said specimen holding means.

4. An electrophotographic diffractometer apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said measuring means comprising at least one electrostatic voltmeter.

5. An electrophotographic diffractometer apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said charging means comprises a corona discharge device.

6. An electrophotographic diffractometer apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said scanning means comprises means for providing an analog signal read-out of said charge pattern.

7. An electrophotographic diffraction apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising means for converting said analog signal to digital data and information processing means.

8. An electrophotographic diffractometer apparatus as in claim 7, further comprising automatic information feedback means to said sensing means.

9. An electrophotographic diffractometer apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises a side wall defining a space, said specimen being disposed in said space, and said storage member comprises a layer disposed at the interior face of said side wall and substantially surrounding said specimen.

10. An electrophotographic diffractometer apparatus as in claim 1, comprising means for rotating said specimen while it is exposed to said radiation beam.

11. An electrophotographic diffractometer apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said storage member is substantially flat.

12. An electrophotographic diffractometer apparatus as in claim 11, wherein said specimen is disposed at one side of and on an axis perpendicular to said storage member.

13. An electrophotographic diffractometer apparatus as in claim 12, wherein said radiation a collimated x-ray beam and said apparatus comprises a source of said x-ray beam disposed at the other side of said storage member, said storage member comprising a passageway through which said x-ray beam is directed toward said specimen.