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.

The present invention relates to a rotating anode (100) comprising: an outer ring compound (6) comprising a first carbon material with a first material property and carbon fibers substantially aligned to a contour of the outer ring compound (6), wherein the outer ring compound (6) is configured to mechanically stabilize the rotating anode (100); an intermediate ring compound (5) comprising a second carbon material with a second material property differing from the first material property; a inner disc compound (2) comprising a layered fiber structure and a third carbon material with a third material property differing from the first and the second material property, wherein the inner disc compound (2) and the intermediate ring compound (5) are configured to provide a thermally conductive interface between the intermediate ring compound (5) and the inner disc compound (2); and an interface compound (3) comprising a metallic or a semi-metallic material, wherein the interface compound is coupled to the intermediate ring compound (5) and the inner disc compound (2).

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.

The present disclosure relates to multi-layer X-ray sources having decreased hydrogen within the layer stack and/or tungsten carbide inter-layers between the primary layers of X-ray generating and thermally-conductive materials. The resulting multi-layer target structures allow increased X-ray production, which may facilitate faster scan times for inspection or examination procedures.

Fabrication of a multi-layer X-ray source is disclosed using bulk structures to fabricate a multi-layer target structure. In one implementation, layers of X-ray generating material, such as tungsten, are interleaved with thermally conductive layers, such as diamond layers. To prevent delamination of the layers, various mechanical, chemical, and/or structural approaches may also be employed.

There is provided an anode stack for cooling and electrically insulating a high voltage anode of an X-ray device. The anode stack has at least a conductor member and a dielectric member, and the conductor member has a main body and a peripheral portion. The dielectric member overlies and couples with the main body of the conductor member at one surface. At an opposing surface of the main body of the conductor member, an end of the high voltage anode is coupled thereto in use. The peripheral portion of the conductor member has an annular region that surrounds at least a part of the dielectric member and which is spaced therefrom.

The present disclosure relates to the production and use of a multi-layer X-ray source target. In certain implementations, layers of X-ray generating material may be interleaved with thermally conductive layers. To prevent delamination of the layers, various mechanical, chemical, and structural approaches are related, including approaches for reducing the internal stress associated with the deposited layers and for increasing binding strength between layers.

The present invention is intended to provide improved patterned X-ray emitting targets as well as X-ray sources that include patterned X-ray emitting targets as well as X-ray reflectance scatterometry (XRS) systems and also including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) systems and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) systems which employ such X-ray emitting targets.

The present invention relates to a rotating anode (100) comprising: an outer ring compound (6) comprising a first carbon material with a first material property and carbon fibres substantially aligned to a contour of the outer ring compound (6), wherein the outer ring compound (6) is configured to mechanically stabilize the rotating anode (100); an intermediate ring compound (5) comprising a second carbon material with a second material property differing from the first material property; a inner disc compound (2) comprising a layered fibre structure and a third carbon material with a third material property differing from the first and the second material property, wherein the inner disc compound (2) and the intermediate ring compound (5) are configured to provide a thermally conductive interface between the intermediate ring compound (5) and the inner disc compound (2); and an interface compound (3) comprising a metallic or a semi-metallic material, wherein the interface compound is coupled to the intermediate ring compound (5) and the inner disc compound (2).

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.