Investigations of X-ray metallic capillaries

In the preliminary experimental work, the electrochemical manufacturing of capillaries with the metallic (Cu and Ni) walls was described. The cathode wire was coated with copper layer in controlled electrolytic process. It led to precise formation of the parabolic shape of a core part. Subsequently, a thin layer of nickel was coated in electroless way and electrochemically passivated. Then, a thin copper layer and subsequently, thick nickel one were electroplated, forming the body part of the capillary. The adjustment of the internal walls of the capillaries to the designed shape was controlled with the electron microscope and it was proved that it could be kept within ±1 μm scatter on a distance of several centimeters along the main axis. The roughness (rms) of the internal capillary walls was controlled by the atomic force microscope. The roughness was kept in the range of 3.5-5 nm and was in the low limit of allowed levels. The production will be optimized in the future.