A method of designing an electron emitter can include: determining a desired cross-sectional profile of an electron emission from an electron emitter and inputting parameters of the electron emitter into a computer; determining a desired temperature profile for the electron emitter that emits the desired cross-sectional profile; and determining desired emitter dimensions for a defined electrical current through the electron emitter that produces the desired temperature profile with the computer based on the input parameters of the electron emitter. The emitter dimensions can include: each rung width dimension; each first gap segment dimension; each second gap segment dimension; and each web dimension. The emitter can include: a plurality of elongate rungs connected together in a planar pattern; a plurality of corners; a first gap between adjacent non-connected elongate rungs; a second gap between adjacent non-connected elongate rungs; and one or more cutouts between a corner apex and corner nadir.

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.

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.

An X-ray tube can include: a cathode including an electron emitter that emits an electron beam; an anode configured to receive the electron beam; a first magnetic quadrupole between the cathode and the anode and having a first yoke with four first pole projections extending from the first yoke and oriented toward a central axis of the first yoke and each of the four first pole projections having a first quadrupole electromagnetic coil; a second magnetic quadrupole between the first magnetic quadrupole and the anode and having a second yoke with four second pole projections extending from the second yoke and oriented toward a central axis of the second yoke and each of the four second pole projections having a second quadrupole electromagnetic coil; and at least one steering coil collocated with a quadrupole on a pole projection.

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.

An X-ray tube can include: a cathode planar emitter that emits an inhomogeneous electron beam; an anode to receive the electron beam; a first magnetic quadrupole having a first yoke with four evenly distributed first pole projections extending from the first yoke and oriented toward a central axis of the first yoke and each of the four first pole projections having a first quadrupole electromagnetic coil; a second magnetic quadrupole having a second yoke with four evenly distributed second pole projections extending from the second yoke and oriented toward a central axis of the second yoke and each of the four second pole projections having a second quadrupole electromagnetic coil; and at least one coil of a first pair of opposing coils with alternating current offset from the power supply.

An X-ray tube can include: a cathode including an electron emitter; an anode configured to receive the emitted electrons; a first magnetic quadrupole between the cathode and the anode and having a first quadrupole yoke with four first quadrupole pole projections extending from the first quadrupole yoke and oriented toward a central axis of the first quadrupole yoke and each of the four first quadrupole pole projections having a first quadrupole electromagnetic coil; a second magnetic quadrupole between the first magnetic quadruple and the anode and having a second quadrupole yoke with four second quadrupole pole projections extending from the second quadrupole yoke and oriented toward a central axis of the second quadrupole yoke and each of the four second quadrupole pole projections having a second quadrupole electromagnetic coil; and a magnetic dipole between the cathode and anode and having a dipole yoke with four dipole electromagnetic coils.

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.

In an envelope rotation type X-ray tube apparatus, a cathode releases electrons, and the electrons released from the cathode are deflected by deflection coils. A target generates X-rays by being bombarded with the electrons deflected by the deflection coils. Here, a shield ring, while allowing passage through a ring interior of those of the electrons deflected by the deflection coils that head for an area of the target set beforehand, blocks electrons heading outward of the area. Consequently, the electrons are inhibited from bombarding on areas of the target outward of the area and an envelope. This can prevent damage to the envelope.