An X-ray tube, including: an envelope (11) that holds inside thereof at a predetermined pressure; a filament (12) for emitting electrons and a focus electrode (13) provided in the envelope: and a target (15) for generating X-ray provided in the envelope facing to the filament (12) and the focus electrode (13), wherein the envelope (11) has an envelope body (11a) and an X-ray window portion (16) having a higher X-rays transmissivity and a higher electric conductivity than the envelope body (11a), when the X-ray window portion (16) or the anode (14) is set to a lower electric potential than both of an electric potential of the anode (14) or the X-ray window portion (16) and an electric potential of the filament (12) and the focus electrode (13), detection of at least one of an ion current (Ii) or an electron current (Ie) through the X-ray window portion (16) or the anode (14) is possible.

An x-ray emitter includes an x-ray tube and an x-ray emitter housing. In an embodiment, the x-ray tube includes an evacuated x-ray tube housing, a cathode for emitting electrons and an anode for generating x-rays as a function of the electrons. Further, in an embodiment, the x-ray emitter housing includes the x-ray tube and outside of the x-ray tube, a gaseous cooling medium. In an embodiment, the x-ray emitter further includes a compressor for a forced convection of the gaseous cooling medium for cooling the x-ray tube, a pressure ratio between the intake side and pressure side of the compressor being greater than 1.3.

An x-ray emitter includes an x-ray tube and an x-ray emitter housing. In an embodiment, the x-ray tube includes an evacuated x-ray tube housing, a cathode for emitting electrons and an anode for generating x-rays as a function of the electrons. Further, in an embodiment, the x-ray emitter housing includes the x-ray tube and outside of the x-ray tube, a gaseous cooling medium. In an embodiment, the x-ray emitter further includes a compressor for a forced convection of the gaseous cooling medium for cooling the x-ray tube, a pressure ratio between the intake side and pressure side of the compressor being greater than 1.3.

X-ray generation apparatus includes X-ray generation tube having cathode and anode, voltage supply for supplying voltage to the X-ray generation tube via conductive line, storage container including first portion forming first space storing the voltage supply, second portion forming second space having width smaller than that of the first space and storing the X-ray generation tube, and connecting portion connecting the first and second portions to form internal space in which the first space and the second space communicate, and insulating member arranged in the internal space to block shortest path between the conductive line and convex portion of the connecting portion. The insulating member is formed by connecting members by adhesive material, and is configured to block linear path between the adhesive material and the conductive line and linear path between the adhesive material and the cathode.

X-ray generation apparatus includes X-ray generation tube having cathode and anode, voltage supply for supplying voltage to the X-ray generation tube via conductive line, storage container including first portion forming first space storing the voltage supply, second portion forming second space having width smaller than that of the first space and storing the X-ray generation tube, and connecting portion connecting the first and second portions to form internal space in which the first space and the second space communicate, and insulating member arranged in the internal space to block shortest path between the conductive line and convex portion of the connecting portion. The insulating member is formed by connecting members by adhesive material, and is configured to block linear path between the adhesive material and the conductive line and linear path between the adhesive material and the cathode.

An x-ray window can include a thin film that comprises boron. The thin film can be relatively thin, such as for example 200 nm. This x-ray window can be strong; can have high x-ray transmissivity; can be impervious to gas, visible light, and infrared light; can be easy of manufacture; can be made of materials with low atomic numbers, or combinations thereof. The thin film can include an aluminum layer. A support structure can provide additional support to the thin film. The support structure can include a support frame encircling an aperture and support ribs extending across the aperture with gaps between the support ribs. The support structure can also include boron ribs aligned with the support ribs.

An x-ray window can include a thin film that comprises boron. The thin film can be relatively thin, such as for example 200 nm. This x-ray window can be strong; can have high x-ray transmissivity; can be impervious to gas, visible light, and infrared light; can be easy of manufacture; can be made of materials with low atomic numbers, or combinations thereof. The thin film can include an aluminum layer. A support structure can provide additional support to the thin film. The support structure can include a support frame encircling an aperture and support ribs extending across the aperture with gaps between the support ribs. The support structure can also include boron ribs aligned with the support ribs.

Disclosed is a ceramic shielding apparatus including at least one shield made of a ceramic material and provided inside or outside an X-ray tube to shield radiation; and supports configured to support the shield. According to such a configuration, disadvantages of conventional shielding materials such as lead can be addressed, so that a shield apparatus having excellent shielding properties while being harmless to the human body can be provided.

Disclosed is a ceramic shielding apparatus including at least one shield made of a ceramic material and provided inside or outside an X-ray tube to shield radiation; and supports configured to support the shield. According to such a configuration, disadvantages of conventional shielding materials such as lead can be addressed, so that a shield apparatus having excellent shielding properties while being harmless to the human body can be provided.

X-ray transparent insulation can be sandwiched between an x-ray window and a ground plate. The x-ray transparent insulation can include aluminum nitride, boron nitride, or polyetherimide. The x-ray transparent insulation can include a curved side. The x-ray transparent insulation can be transparent to x-rays and resistant to x-ray damage, and can have high thermal conductivity. An x-ray window can have high thermal conductivity, high electrical conductivity, high melting point, low cost, and matched coefficient of thermal conductivity with the anode. The x-ray window can be made of tungsten. For consistent x-ray spot size and location, a focusing plate and a filament can be attached to a cathode with an open channel of the focusing plate aligned with a longitudinal dimension of the filament. Tabs of the focusing plate bordering the open channel can be bent to align with a location of the filament.