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 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.

An X-ray module includes a housing; an electron gun that emits an electron beam inside the housing; a target disposed inside the housing and fixed to the housing, to generate an X-ray when the electron beam is incident on the target; and a deflection unit including a permanent magnet and disposed outside the housing, to deflect the electron beam by means of a magnetic force of the permanent magnet. The deflection unit includes a heat insulating member disposed at least between the permanent magnet and the housing. A thermal conductivity of the heat insulating member is lower than a thermal conductivity of the permanent magnet.

An X-ray source includes a target configured to generate X-rays when impacted by an electron beam. The target includes one or more thermally conductive layers; and one or more X-ray generating layers interleaved with the thermally conductive layers, wherein at least one X-ray generating layer comprises regions of X-ray generating material separated by thermally conductive material within the respective X-ray generating layer.

An X-ray module includes; a housing; an electron gun that emits an electron beam inside the housing; a target disposed inside the housing and fixed to the housing, to generate an X-ray when the electron beam is incident on the target; a permanent magnet that is disposed outside the housing and deflects the electron beam by means of a magnetic force; and a heat radiating unit having a higher thermal conductivity than a thermal conductivity of the permanent magnet and thermally connected to the permanent magnet.

A multi-pixel x-ray source is provided. The x-ray source includes a plurality of transmission target assemblies. The transmission target assembly includes a tungsten target and a diamond substrate. The substrate includes a first transmission surface and a second transmission surface opposite first transmission surface. The substrate further includes a first side surface and a second side surface disposed between the first and second transmission surfaces. The target covers the first transmission surface of the substrate. The transmission target assembly further includes a base. The base surrounds the first and second side surfaces of substrate, exposing a collimator surface of the second transmission surface and the target. The transmission target assembly is configured to transmit x-ray generated by the target through the target and the substrate.

An X-ray tube that may include a cathode that is configured to generate an electron beam; an anode having a cavity that has an opening; wherein the anode is configured to receive the electron beam through the opening and to emit, through the opening, in response to the receiving of the electron beam, an X-ray beam from the opening; and electron optics that are configured to direct the electron beam towards the opening following a path that outside the cavity and in a vicinity of the opening, differs from a path of propagation the X-ray beam.

Various systems and methods are provided for a biased cathode assembly of an X-ray tube with improved thermal management and a method of manufacturing same. In one example, a cathode assembly of an X-ray tube comprises an emitter assembly including an emitter coupled to an emitter support structure, and an electrode assembly including an electrode stack and a plurality of bias electrodes. The emitter assembly including a plurality of independent components that are coupled together. The electrode assembly including a plurality of independent components that are coupled together, and the emitter assembly being coupled to the electrode assembly.

In one embodiment, an X-ray source includes a source target configured to generate X-rays when impacted by an electron beam. The source target includes one or more thermally conductive layers; and one or more X-ray generating layers interleaved with the thermally conductive layers, wherein at least one X-ray generating layer comprises regions of X-ray generating material separated by thermally conductive material within the respective X-ray generating layer.

A multi-pixel x-ray source is provided. The x-ray source includes a plurality of transmission target assemblies. The transmission target assembly includes a tungsten target and a diamond substrate. The substrate includes a first transmission surface and a second transmission surface opposite first transmission surface. The substrate further includes a first side surface and a second side surface disposed between the first and second transmission surfaces. The target covers the first transmission surface of the substrate. The transmission target assembly further includes a base. The base surrounds the first and second side surfaces of substrate, exposing a collimator surface of the second transmission surface and the target. The transmission target assembly is configured to transmit x-ray generated by the target through the target and the substrate.