An emitter for a closed x-ray tube includes an emitter body formed of a low work function emitter material, the emitter body having a major surface and a secondary surface. The major surface is adapted for emission of electrons from the low work function material. The emitter assembly is adapted to reduce an emission current density emitted from the secondary surface of the emitter body, as compared to the major surface.

An emitter for a closed x-ray tube includes an emitter body formed of a low work function emitter material, the emitter body having a major surface and a secondary surface. The major surface is adapted for emission of electrons from the low work function material. The emitter assembly is adapted to reduce an emission current density emitted from the secondary surface of the emitter body, as compared to the major surface.

An X-ray source and a corresponding method for generating X-ray radiation are disclosed. The X-ray source includes a chamber comprising an interaction region, and a first electron source operable to emit a first electron beam, including electrons of a first energy, towards the interaction region such that the first electron beam interacts with a target to generate X-ray radiation. The X-ray source further includes a second electron source adapted to be independently operated to emit a second electron beam including electrons of a second energy for ionising particles in the chamber, and an ion collection tool that is adapted to remove the ionised particles from the chamber by means of an electromagnetic field. By ionising particles and preventing them from moving freely in the chamber, problems related to contamination of the chamber may be mitigated.

An X-ray source and a corresponding method for generating X-ray radiation are disclosed. The X-ray source includes a chamber comprising an interaction region, and a first electron source operable to emit a first electron beam, including electrons of a first energy, towards the interaction region such that the first electron beam interacts with a target to generate X-ray radiation. The X-ray source further includes a second electron source adapted to be independently operated to emit a second electron beam including electrons of a second energy for ionising particles in the chamber, and an ion collection tool that is adapted to remove the ionised particles from the chamber by means of an electromagnetic field. By ionising particles and preventing them from moving freely in the chamber, problems related to contamination of the chamber may be mitigated.

An X-ray source and a corresponding method for generating X-ray radiation are disclosed. The X-ray source includes a target generator, an electron source and a mixing tool. The target generator is adapted to form a liquid jet propagating through an interaction region, whereas the electron source is adapted to provide an electron beam directed towards the interaction region such that the electron beam interacts with the liquid jet to generate X-ray radiation. The mixing tool is adapted to induce mixing of the liquid jet at a distance downstream of the interaction region such that a maximum surface temperature of the liquid jet is below a threshold temperature. By controlling the maximum surface temperature, vaporisation, and thus the amount of contaminations originating from the jet, may be reduced.

An X-ray source and a corresponding method for generating X-ray radiation are disclosed. The X-ray source includes a target generator, an electron source and a mixing tool. The target generator is adapted to form a liquid jet propagating through an interaction region, whereas the electron source is adapted to provide an electron beam directed towards the interaction region such that the electron beam interacts with the liquid jet to generate X-ray radiation. The mixing tool is adapted to induce mixing of the liquid jet at a distance downstream of the interaction region such that a maximum surface temperature of the liquid jet is below a threshold temperature. By controlling the maximum surface temperature, vaporisation, and thus the amount of contaminations originating from the jet, may be reduced.

This invention relates to an X-ray tube, and more specifically, relates to a reflection type X-ray tube which enables thermoelectrons emitted from filament to reach a target of an X-ray irradiation window more efficiently.

This invention relates to an X-ray tube, and more specifically, relates to a reflection type X-ray tube which enables thermoelectrons emitted from filament to reach a target of an X-ray irradiation window more efficiently.

According to one embodiment, an X-ray tube includes a vacuum envelope, a cathode, an anode, and an X-ray transmission assembly. The X-ray transmission assembly includes an X-ray transmission window and an X-ray tube attachment portion. The X-ray tube attachment portion includes a passage port to allow an available X-ray flux to pass therethrough and is opposed to an opening of the vacuum envelope. The passage port has a first shape of a rectangle, an ovally rounded rectangle or a corner-rounded rectangle. The first shape has a longer axis orthogonal to an X-ray tube axis.

According to one embodiment, an X-ray tube includes a vacuum envelope, a cathode, an anode, and an X-ray transmission assembly. The X-ray transmission assembly includes an X-ray transmission window and an X-ray tube attachment portion. The X-ray tube attachment portion includes a passage port to allow an available X-ray flux to pass therethrough and is opposed to an opening of the vacuum envelope. The passage port has a first shape of a rectangle, an ovally rounded rectangle or a corner-rounded rectangle. The first shape has a longer axis orthogonal to an X-ray tube axis.