X-ray image intensifier

[AlexanderHun]

Hi!

I got an X-ray image intensifier, unfortunately there is no description of it on the internet anymore.
I turned it on, got the power, but there's on the nameplate I don't understand. Control voltage 1-3, does anyone have any idea how this worked? Measured at test points, voltages are OK.

[Mads Barnkob]

From the high voltage specifications and very low uA currents, I am thinking this is some kind of early digital x-ray mashup of a image plate and night vision technology.

It could be a step away from the laser line scanning and photo multiplier tube to digitization and thus be some kind of analog video signal out? But then again, as there is no composite output plug but only a serial interface... maybe try to use some serial commands into that interface? Try with RealTerm, makes it easier to quickly brute force a variety of protocols and commands.

[AlexanderHun]

Hi, I'll check in tomorrow.  Camera is missing from the end, there is a 20mm imaging part that had a camera in front of it.

[AlexanderHun]

Hi!

I was able to test the X-ray image intensifier today, the conditions were not ideal yet. Unfortunately, the image is very out of focus yet, the shot was taken by a mobile phone, you have to find out how far the X-rayed object is from the X-ray and how far from the image intensifier. However, the amplification is very good, I took the pictures with a dental x-ray. The first video shows an ammeter, the second a cell phone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTMxFXKMTTo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30w-cASQdvI

[AlexanderHun]

Hi!

I managed to make a better video, I was able to connect the device to a computer on a serial port. I found the description of all the commands in it, I can set and query all the voltages, thus adjusting the image.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbiyzMtDGhk

[Mads Barnkob]

That turned out just nicely, very expensive and versatile tool you have here.

Did I see right that you can also zoom with it? Or is that done with camera/lens at the output end of the intensifier?

[AlexanderHun]

Hi!  I zoom in with commands sent on the serial port.  I can change the voltage of the electrodes, including the focusing electrodes.

[AlexanderHun]

Hi!

I improved the thing a bit, I can control the electrodes of the image amplifier via a serial port with an esp32 microcontroller, magnification, sharpness .... A taste of what I wanted to try for a long time: