n :  a vacuum tube for the generation of X rays in which the cathode consists of a spiral filament of incandescent tungsten and the target serves as the anode and consists of massive tungsten and in which the temperature of the cathode determines the intensity of the X rays while the applied voltage determines wavelength
 
Coolidge, William David (1873-1975), American engineer and physicist. In 1913 Coolidge invented an X-ray tube (now known as the Coolidge tube) that was the prototype of the modern X-ray tube.
 
 
 
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