A control mechanism for a high-voltage generator that provides voltage and current to an electronic radiation source in a high-temperature environment is provided, the control mechanism including at least an intermediate enveloping ground plane, and a ground-plane potential monitoring system that provides an input to a control processor that in turn drives the high-voltage generator. A method of controlling a high-voltage generator that powers an electronic radiation source is also provided, the method including at least: measuring an enveloping ground plane potential such that a change in the potential of said enveloping ground plane surrounding the generator is monitored and used to determine the beginning of one or more of a partial discharge and flash-over event.

In the present invention, a cathode is formed with one or more emitters energized to emit electrons that are accelerated towards an anode or target spaced from the cathode. Between the cathode and the target is disposed an ion barrier electrode defining an aperture therein disposed in alignment with the emitters to enable the electron beam to pass through the electrode. The barrier electrode is operably connected to a voltage supply to positively bias the barrier electrode, and the barrier electrode is shaped to minimize the required supply voltage. This positive voltage bias creates a positive potential barrier across the electrode sufficient to repel positive ions generated by the electron beam, protecting the cathode from contact with the ions and increasing the stability of the focal spot generated by the tube by maintaining the ions within the drift region between the ion barrier and the target.

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.

The disclosed subject matter includes devices and methods relating to anode assemblies and/or X-ray assemblies. In some aspects, a method of forming an X-ray assembly may include providing an anode base formed of a first material and including a first end. The method may include depositing a second material different from the first material over a first surface of the anode base to form a coated portion of the anode base. The coated portion may be configured such that some backscattered electrons do not travel beyond the coated portion.

A radiation generating apparatus includes a radiation generation tube including an electron emitting source having an electron emitting member, a transmission type target, a tubular backward shielding member having an electron passing hole facing the target layer at one end, located at the electron emitting source side of the transmission type target, and connected to the periphery of the base member. The radiation generating apparatus further includes a collimator having an opening for defining an angle for extracting the radiation at the opposite side of the electron emitting source side of the transmission type target, and an adjusting device connected to the collimator, and configured to vary an opening diameter of the opening, wherein the target layer has a portion separated from a connection portion of the base member and the backward shielding member at the periphery.

Provided is an X-ray generator including an electron passage in an electron-passage forming member; and a target on an insulative substrate. The transmission X-ray generator irradiates the target with electrons that have passed through the electron passage to generate X-rays. The target is provided at a central region of the substrate; the electron passage accommodates a secondary-X-ray generating section that generates X-rays by irradiation with electrons reflected from the target; the secondary-X-ray generating section and the target are disposed so that both of X-rays generated by direct irradiation of the target with the electrons and X-rays generated by irradiation of the secondary-X-ray generating section with the electrons reflected from the target are radiated to the outside; and at least part of the peripheral region of the substrate has higher transmittance for the X-rays generated at the secondary-X-ray generating section than the central region of the substrate.

Provided is an X-ray generator including an electron passage in an electron-passage forming member; and a target on an insulative substrate. The transmission X-ray generator irradiates the target with electrons that have passed through the electron passage to generate X-rays. The target is provided at a central region of the substrate; the electron passage accommodates a secondary-X-ray generating section that generates X-rays by irradiation with electrons reflected from the target; the secondary-X-ray generating section and the target are disposed so that both of X-rays generated by direct irradiation of the target with the electrons and X-rays generated by irradiation of the secondary-X-ray generating section with the electrons reflected from the target are radiated to the outside; and at least part of the peripheral region of the substrate has higher transmittance for the X-rays generated at the secondary-X-ray generating section than the central region of the substrate.

Disclosed is an X-ray source, including: a cathode; an anode positioned on the cathode so as to face the cathode; emitters formed on the cathode; a gate electrode positioned between the cathode and the anode and including openings at positions corresponding to those of the emitters; an insulating spacer formed between the gate and the anode; and a coating layer formed on an internal wall of the insulating spacer, and including a material having a lower secondary electron emission coefficient than that of the insulating spacer.

The present invention is a shielded anode having an anode with a surface facing an electron beam and a shield configured to encompass the anode surface. The shield has at least one aperture and an internal surface facing the anode surface. The shield internal surface and anode surface are separated by a gap in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm. The shield of the present invention is fabricated from a material, such as graphite, that is substantially transmissive to X-ray photons.

Embodiments include a system, comprising: a vacuum enclosure; an anode support structure penetrating the vacuum enclosure and including a plurality of first cooling passages; and an anode disposed within the vacuum enclosure, coupled to and supported by the anode support structure, and including: a target; and a plurality of second cooling passages; wherein: each of the second cooling passages is coupled to a corresponding first cooling passage; the anode is coupled to the anode support structure on a side of the anode different from a side of the anode including the target and different from axial ends of the anode on a major axis of the anode; and the anode is a linear anode.