An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a rotatable gantry base; a housing that is fixed to the gantry base and that has an opening; an insert that is removably located in the housing and that includes a cathode that generates a thermal electron and an anode that receives collision of the thermal electron to generate an X-ray; and a blower that is removably attached to the side of the opening to flow air into the housing.

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.

An x-ray anode for an x-ray emitter has a structured surface provided for impingement with electrons. According to an embodiment of the invention, the structured surface has a surface structure which alternates periodically at least in sections and which varies in the micrometer range with respect to its depth extension and periodicity.

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.

An X-ray emitter includes an anode rotatably mounted arranged inside a vacuum housing. It can be set into rotation by an electric drive. In the region of a focal spot, the anode can be exposed to an electron beam emitted by a cathode. According to an embodiment of the invention, a control unit is configured to activate an electromagnetic deflection unit that deflects the electron beam as a function of at least one operating parameter of the electric drive such that a movement of the focal spot, caused by electromagnetic fields of the electric drive, can be at least partly compensated for. An embodiment of the invention further relates to a method for compensating for a focal spot movement when X-ray emitters in operation.

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 radiographic image diagnostic apparatus according to embodiments includes an X-ray tube, a holding member, and coil control circuitry. The X-ray tube includes: a cathode that emits electrons; coils that generate electromagnetic force; and an anode that rotates about a rotation axis in response to the electromagnetic force and to generate an X-ray by receiving the electrons. The holding member holds the X-ray tube so that the X-ray tube is movable. The coil control circuitry controls a current to be supplied to the coils based on at least one of a position of the X-ray tube, a direction of the X-ray tube, or a velocity of the X-ray tube.

Technology is described for electronically aligning a central ray of an x-ray tube to a radiation detector. In an example, an x-ray system includes an x-ray tube and a tube control unit (TCU). The x-ray tube includes a cathode that includes an electron emitter configured to emit an electron beam, an anode configured to receive the electron beam and generate x-rays with a central ray from electrons of the electron beam colliding on a focal spot of the anode, and a steering magnetic multipole between the cathode and the anode that is configured to produce a steering magnetic field from a steering signal. At least two poles of the steering magnetic multipole are on opposite sides of the electron beam. The TCU includes at least one steering driver configured to generate the steering signal. The TCU is configured to convert an offset value to the steering signal.

An X-ray tube can include: a cathode including an electron emitter that emits an electron beam; an anode configured to receive the emitted electrons of the electron beam; a first magnetic quadrupole between the cathode and the anode; a second magnetic quadrupole between the first magnetic quadrupole and the anode; a magnetic dipole between the cathode and anode; and a power supply system operably coupled with the first magnetic quadrupole, second magnetic quadrupole, and magnetic dipole, the power supply system being configured to: produce a first focusing magnetic quadrupole field at the first magnetic quadrupole; produce a second focusing magnetic quadrupole field at the second magnetic quadrupole; and produce a steering magnetic dipole field at the magnetic dipole configured to deflect the electron beam in order to shift a focal spot of the electron beam on the anode.

An x-ray illumination beam system includes an electron emitter and a target having one or more target microstructures. The one or more microstructures may be the same or different material, and may be embedded or placed atop a substrate formed of a heat-conducting material. The x-ray source may emit x-rays towards an optic system, which can include one or more optics that are matched to one or more target microstructures. The matching can be achieved by selecting optics with the geometric shape, size, and surface coating that collects as many x-rays as possible from the source and at an angle that satisfies the critical reflection angle of the x-ray energies of interest from the target. The x-ray illumination beam system allows for an x-ray source that generates x-rays having different spectra and can be used in a variety of applications.