A system and method for generating X-rays are disclosed. The method may include emitting an electron beam from a cathode to a focal track of a rotating target. The method may further include deflecting the electron beam onto a first region of the focal track at a first time, and deflecting the electron beam onto a second region of the focal track at a second time. The first region of the focal track may be separated from the second region of the focal track. The method may further include generating X-rays in response to the electron beam deflected onto the first region of the focal track or onto the second region of the focal track.

A cooling device for x-ray tubes in x-ray generators, comprising a housing with a central receiving device for receiving an x-ray tube with an inlet opening for supplying a gaseous coolant, an outlet opening for discharging the gaseous coolant, and a gas-conducting channel which extends between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. The gas-conducting channel is designed to conduct the gaseous coolant directly by the high-voltage x-ray tube housing during operation. The gas-conducting channel additionally extends in a helical manner about the x-ray tubes such that the electric potential applied to the x-ray tubes drops to zero potential along the gas-conducting channel.

An x-ray tube casing is provided which includes a central frame having internal passages to supply a cooling fluid directly to the casing without the need for an external dedicated heat exchanger. The cooling fluid flowing through the passages in the easing can thermally contact the dielectric coolant within the casing to cool the tube coolant during operation of the x-ray tube. The casing is formed in an additive manufacturing process to allow for tight tolerances with regard to the structure for the casing and the internal passages to reduce the size and weight of the casing. The casing can additionally be formed from a metal matrix including a metal with high x-ray attenuation and a filler metal. The metal matrix eliminates the need for a separate x-ray attenuation layer within the casing, further reducing the size, number of parts and assembly complexity of the casing.

An x-ray tube casing is provided which includes a central frame having internal passages to supply a cooling fluid directly to the casing without the need for an external dedicated heat exchanger. The cooling fluid flowing through the passages in the easing can thermally contact the dielectric coolant within the casing to cool the tube coolant during operation of the x-ray tube. The casing is formed in an additive manufacturing process to allow for tight tolerances with regard to the structure for the casing and the internal passages to reduce the size and weight of the casing. The casing can additionally be formed from a metal matrix including a metal with high x-ray attenuation and a filler metal. The metal matrix eliminates the need for a separate x-ray attenuation layer within the casing, further reducing the size, number of parts and assembly complexity of the casing.

An electric component includes an electric circuit and a metal container covering the electric circuit. The metal container includes a side wall portion surrounding the electric circuit, and a closing portion forming an end surface of the metal container while covering an end portion of the side wall portion. An exposed surface of an outer peripheral portion of the closing portion exposed to an outside of the metal container has a roundness in a section perpendicular to the end surface.

An X-ray source uses excitation of a liquid metal beam of ions or ionized droplets to produce an X-ray output with higher brightness than conventional sources. The beam may be accelerated from a liquid metal source using an extraction electrode. The source may have an emitter tip, and the acceleration of the liquid metal may include field emission from a Taylor cone. An electrostatic or electromagnetic focusing electrode may be used to reduce a cross-sectional diameter of the beam. The liquid metal beam has a relatively high velocity as it does not suffer from flow turbulence, thus allowing for a more energetic excitation and a correspondingly higher brightness. A beam dump may also be used to collect the liquid metal beam after excitation, and may be concave with no direct sight lines to either an electron beam cathode or to X-ray windows of an enclosure for the source.

An X-ray source uses excitation of a liquid metal beam of ions or ionized droplets to produce an X-ray output with higher brightness than conventional sources. The beam may be accelerated from a liquid metal source using an extraction electrode. The source may have an emitter tip, and the acceleration of the liquid metal may include field emission from a Taylor cone. An electrostatic or electromagnetic focusing electrode may be used to reduce a cross-sectional diameter of the beam. The liquid metal beam has a relatively high velocity as it does not suffer from flow turbulence, thus allowing for a more energetic excitation and a correspondingly higher brightness. A beam dump may also be used to collect the liquid metal beam after excitation, and may be concave with no direct sight lines to either an electron beam cathode or to X-ray windows of an enclosure for the source.

Described herein is an x-ray tube assembly that includes: a housing that encloses an inner volume; a movable divider within the inner volume, the movable divider dividing the inner volume into a first volume and a second volume; an x-ray tube within the first volume; the first volume between the housing and the x-ray tube filled with an insulating fluid; and the second volume filled with a compressible gas.

Described herein is an x-ray tube assembly that includes: a housing that encloses an inner volume; a movable divider within the inner volume, the movable divider dividing the inner volume into a first volume and a second volume; an x-ray tube within the first volume; the first volume between the housing and the x-ray tube filled with an insulating fluid; and the second volume filled with a compressible gas.