|Tungsten-rhenium alloy x-ray tube.|
The conical disk in this sample is a heavy slab of tungsten-rhenium alloy. The structure above holds a filament that releases electrons, which are accelerated with a high voltage to strike the tungsten-rhenium disk, generating x-rays when they strike.
In operation the disk is spinning, because if it ever stopped the heat generated by the electrons slamming into the metal would start melting it. The small scratch towards the right is the explanation for why I have this tube: It's where the disk stopped and got burned.
Normally this whole setup would be inside a glass vacuum tube, but it broke in shipment, saving me the trouble.
Source: eBay seller kentuckyspecialfx
Contributor: Theodore Gray
Acquired: 15 April, 2009
Text Updated: 15 April, 2009