A process for repairing a damaged annular region of an anode configured to emit x-rays includes the step of machining the damaged annular region made of an initial target coating to a depth smaller than a thickness of the coating so as to leave behind a residual annular layer. An intermediate layer is then deposited on the residual annular layer. A repairing layer is then deposited on the intermediate layer. A heat treatment is then performed using an anneal which causes, by interdiffusion and formation of a solid solution, the material of the intermediate layer and the material of the residual annular layer to diffuse into each other and further cause the material of the intermediate layer and the material of the repairing layer diffuse into each other. As a result of this anneal the intermediate layer disappears.

A target assembly for generating radiation may comprise a target, a substrate and a window. The target may be capable of generating first radiation when impinged by a beam. The window may be at least partially permeable to the beam. The window and the substrate may form at least part of a hermetically sealed chamber and the target may be positioned in the chamber. The chamber may be filled with air having a normal or reduced content of oxygen.

An X-ray inspection system that can simply and automatically perform aging without separately preparing a shutter moving member including a dedicated motor or a guide member for aging is provided. When power is supplied, a stage moves in X and Y directions by activating a stage moving mechanism, and an X-ray source stops at an aging position below an X-ray shielding plate disposed beside a support plate on the stage. In this state, aging is started. When the aging is ended, an input of an imaging instruction for X-ray imaging is waited for.

A high dose output, through transmission and reflective target x-ray tube and methods of use includes, in general an x-ray tube for accelerating electrons under a high voltage potential having an evacuated high voltage housing, a hemispherical shaped through and reflective transmission target anode disposed in said housing, a cathode structure to deflect the electrons toward the hemispherical anode disposed in said housing, a filament located in the geometric center of the anode hemisphere disposed in said housing, a power supply connected to said cathode to provide accelerating voltage to the electrons.

A thickness of a bonding material (8) is varied in a radial direction orthogonal to a central axis (P) of the tubular anode member (6), the bonding material (8) being used for bonding a transmitting substrate (7) for supporting a target layer (9) and a tubular anode member (6) in a direction along the central axis (P). Thus, a region in which a circumferential tensile stress of the bonding material (8) is alleviated is formed in the direction along the central axis (P) to prevent a crack from developing in the bonding material (8).

Process for treating and receptacle for confining an anode, wherein the anode is placed in a confining receptacle that envelops this anode while leaving uncovered an annular coating zone of a frontal face of this anode, which is defined by an aperture of the receptacle; in order to carry out a least one operation for treating said annular coating zone, implementing at least one treating gas.

A rotating x-ray anode has an annular focal track. The surface of the focal track has a directed ground structure. Over the circumference of the annular focal track and over the radial extent of the focal track, the alignment of the ground structure is inclined relative to a tangential reference direction in the respective surface portion in each case by an angle that lies in the range from 15, including, up to and including 90. A corresponding method for producing a rotating x-ray anode is described.