APPARATUS AND METHOD PROVIDING SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM IRRADIATION OF SURFACES OF ELONGATED OBJECTS WITH A HIGH-LEVEL OF IRRADIANCE

摘要

Apparatus for providing substantially two-dimensionally uniform irradiation of elongated three-dimensional objects while the objects are rotating and moving across the irradiator, with a high level of irradiance and with a substantially constant radiation dose on the surfaces of the objects during each phase of the rotation and movement. At least one source of radiation produces radiation to irradiate the surfaces of the objects. Each of the sources of radiation is within a respective elongated elliptical reflecting trough and is spaced from the focal axis of the respective trough. Each trough terminates in an opening defining a rectangular plane substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the ellipse of the respective trough and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the respective radiation source. Reflectors extend from the trough substantially to the path of the objects.