An X-ray module includes a housing in which an opening portion is formed; an electron gun that emits an electron beam; a target that transmits an X-ray generated when the electron beam is incident on the target and emits the X-ray from an X-ray-emitting surface; an X-ray-emitting window that seals the opening portion, and that transmits the X-ray and emits the X-ray to a first side in an axial direction; and a heat radiating unit disposed outside the housing. The housing includes a surface on which a protrusion protruding to the first side is formed, the opening portion is formed in the protrusion, and the target is disposed in the opening portion. The heat radiating unit includes a first portion extending along the surface and thermally connected to the surface, and a second portion extending from the first portion to a second side opposite the first side.

A target for an x-ray tube can emit x-rays in response to impinging electrons. Some electrons rebound without interacting atomically to form x-rays. Problems of these non-interacting electrons include reduced x-ray flux, charging electrically-insulative components of the x-ray tube, and misdirecting the electron beam. The target can include an array of holes, an array of posts, or both. The holes/posts can increase electron interaction with material of the target. Consequently, a higher percentage of impinging electrons can form x-rays. The holes/posts can also allow the target to effectively generate x-rays of different energies by providing a target with multiple thicknesses. X-rays can be generated in thicker regions of the target with the x-ray tube operated at a larger voltage. X-rays can be generated in thinner regions of the target with the x-ray tube operated at a smaller voltage.

An X-ray tube with an anode assembly and specially designed heat transfer element is described. The anode assembly includes an X-ray producing target and a substantially cylindrical electrode that stops or inhibits electrons that may back-scatter from the target. At least one heat transfer element is positioned proximate the anode assembly and in the region between a conducting enclosure and a non-conducting hollow housing or tube. The heat transfer element is positioned to thermally couple the hot anode assembly to an air-cooled conducting enclosure while maintaining an electric isolation.

An X-ray tube device includes a main body that incorporates a bulb, which generates X-rays, a collimator that is provided to protrude from the main body in an irradiation direction of the X-rays in a part of a front surface (first surface), which is a surface of the main body, and has an irradiation window for irradiating the X-rays with an adjusted irradiation range, and connectors that are provided for connecting a guard unit for keeping a distance from a test object, between the front surface (first surface) of the main body and a front surface (second surface), which is a surface of the collimator where the irradiation window is provided.

A raster scanning x-ray source can be light and small, and can have high resolution. A raster-assembly can be attached directly to and can encircle an x-ray tube. The raster-assembly can adjoin or can be very close to the x-ray tube, resulting in a small and lightweight scanning x-ray source. X-rays can backscatter back into the x-ray tube instead of into a detector, thus improving resolution of the resulting image. A voltage-multiplier, which can be used with the x-ray source, can include separate voltage-multiplier-stages in a stack,

A system for generating X-ray beams from a liquid target includes a vacuum chamber, a diamond window assembly, an electron source, a target material flow system, and an X-ray detector/imager. An electron beam from the electron source travels through the diamond window assembly and into a dynamic target material of the flow system. Preferably, the dynamic target material is lead bismuth eutectic in a liquid state. Upon colliding with the dynamic target material, X-rays are generated. The generated X-rays exit through an X-ray exit window to be captured by the X-ray detector/imager. Since the dynamic target material is constantly in fluid motion within a pipeline of the flow system, the electron beam always has a new target area which is at a controlled operational temperature and thus, prevents overheating issues. By providing a small focus area for the electron beams, the overall imaging resolution of the X-rays is also improved.

A system for generating X-ray beams from a liquid target includes a vacuum chamber, a diamond window assembly, an electron source, a target material flow system, and an X-ray detector/imager. An electron beam from the electron source travels through the diamond window assembly and into a dynamic target material of the flow system. Preferably, the dynamic target material is lead bismuth eutectic in a liquid state. Upon colliding with the dynamic target material, X-rays are generated. The generated X-rays exit through an X-ray exit window to be captured by the X-ray detector/imager. Since the dynamic target material is constantly in fluid motion within a pipeline of the flow system, the electron beam always has a new target area which is at a controlled operational temperature and thus, prevents overheating issues. By providing a small focus area for the electron beams, the overall imaging resolution of the X-rays is also improved.

A linear accelerator target apparatus includes a target material to produce radiation upon being struck by electrons accelerated by a linear accelerator and a target holder assembly to which the target material is attached. The target holder assembly includes a cooling channel disposed around a perimeter of the target material. The target holder assembly is configured to be detachably coupled to a housing of the linear accelerator. The target apparatus further includes a protective window coupled to the target holder assembly over the target material.

According to one embodiment, in an X-ray tube, an electron convergence cup has a first surface located closer to the anode, and an electron convergence groove opening on the first surface and housing a filament. The first surface has a first edge located on the opening, and a second edge located on the opening and opposite to the first edge in a first direction. The first edge is closer to an outer peripheral part than the second edge is. When the distance between the first edge and the filament in the first direction is defined as a first distance and the distance between the second edge and the filament in the first direction is defined as a second distance, the first distance is shorter than the second distance.

According to one embodiment, in an X-ray tube, an electron convergence cup has a first surface located closer to the anode, and an electron convergence groove opening on the first surface and housing a filament. The first surface has a first edge located on the opening, and a second edge located on the opening and opposite to the first edge in a first direction. The first edge is closer to an outer peripheral part than the second edge is. When the distance between the first edge and the filament in the first direction is defined as a first distance and the distance between the second edge and the filament in the first direction is defined as a second distance, the first distance is shorter than the second distance.