Some embodiments include an x-ray source, comprising: an anode; a field emitter configured to generate an electron beam; a first grid configured to control field emission from the field emitter; a second grid disposed between the first grid and the anode; and a middle electrode disposed between the first grid and the anode wherein the second grid is either disposed between the first grid and middle electrode or between the middle electrode and the anode.

An improved X-ray source is disclosed. The improved X-ray source has an enclosure, electron guns, a first set of address lines extending through the enclosure, a second set of address lines extending through the enclosure, and nodes defined by the intersection of the first and second set of address lines. Each of the electron guns is coupled to one of the nodes such that a state of each electron gun is uniquely controlled by modulating a state of one of the first set of address lines and one of the second set of address lines.

Provided is an X-ray imaging system capable of performing X-ray imaging quickly. The X-ray imaging system is provided with: an X-ray tube device including a cathode and an anode, the X-ray tube device being capable of performing X-ray imaging by irradiating an imaging target with X-rays in a state of rotating the anode; a light irradiation device including a collimator defining an X-ray irradiation range of the X-rays with respect to the imaging target, a visible light irradiation unit for emitting visible light to the imaging target and a light irradiation operation unit for performing an operation for making the visible light irradiation unit in the light irradiation state; and a controller for controlling operations of the X-ray tube device and the light irradiation device. The controller rotates the anode at an imaging possible rotation speed capable of performing X-ray imaging when the light irradiation operation unit is operated.

Provided is an X-ray imaging system capable of performing X-ray imaging quickly. The X-ray imaging system is provided with: an X-ray tube device including a cathode and an anode, the X-ray tube device being capable of performing X-ray imaging by irradiating an imaging target with X-rays in a state of rotating the anode; a light irradiation device including a collimator defining an X-ray irradiation range of the X-rays with respect to the imaging target, a visible light irradiation unit for emitting visible light to the imaging target and a light irradiation operation unit for performing an operation for making the visible light irradiation unit in the light irradiation state; and a controller for controlling operations of the X-ray tube device and the light irradiation device. The controller rotates the anode at an imaging possible rotation speed capable of performing X-ray imaging when the light irradiation operation unit is operated.

An X-ray radiator and an X-ray assembly are disclosed. The X-ray radiator according to an embodiment has an evacuated X-ray tube housing, mounted to be rotatable about a rotation axis, the X-ray tube housing including an anode and an electron source. The anode is arranged within the X-ray tube housing non-rotatably relative to the X-ray tube housing and is configured to generate X-ray radiation via electrons impacting upon a focal spot of the anode, the electron source being mounted substantially stationary within the X-ray tube housing relative to the rotation axis. The electron source has a main emitter and at least one subsidiary emitter for emitting electrons. The electron emission of the main emitter and/or of the at least one subsidiary emitter is controllable such that a spatial movement of the focal spot due to a movement of the electron source is reduced.

A method is for spatially influencing a focal spot of an X-ray source that generates X-ray radiation, to an associated X-ray source, to an associated system and to an associated computer program product. The method according to at least one embodiment includes: producing a focal spot on an anode by way of an electron emitter including a plurality of emitter segments, individually controllable to emit electrons; determining at least one actual value of a spatial extent and/or of a position of the produced focal spot; comparing the at least one actual value with a specified reference value of the focal spot; and controlling the emitter segments based upon the comparison of the at least one actual value and the reference value such that the at least one actual value converges toward the reference value, thereby spatially influencing the focal spot of the X-ray source that generates X-ray radiation.

A method is for spatially influencing a focal spot of an X-ray source that generates X-ray radiation, to an associated X-ray source, to an associated system and to an associated computer program product. The method according to at least one embodiment includes: producing a focal spot on an anode by way of an electron emitter including a plurality of emitter segments, individually controllable to emit electrons; determining at least one actual value of a spatial extent and/or of a position of the produced focal spot; comparing the at least one actual value with a specified reference value of the focal spot; and controlling the emitter segments based upon the comparison of the at least one actual value and the reference value such that the at least one actual value converges toward the reference value, thereby spatially influencing the focal spot of the X-ray source that generates X-ray radiation.

A raster scanning x-ray source can be light and small, and can have high resolution. A raster-assembly can be attached directly to and can encircle an x-ray tube. The raster-assembly can adjoin or can be very close to the x-ray tube, resulting in a small and lightweight scanning x-ray source. X-rays can backscatter back into the x-ray tube instead of into a detector, thus improving resolution of the resulting image. A voltage-multiplier, which can be used with the x-ray source, can include separate voltage-multiplier-stages in a stack,

An apparatus including an X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube can include a cathode and an input receptacle coupled to the cathode. The input receptacle can include a connector configured within the input receptacle. The connector can operatively couple the cathode and the input receptacle. The connector can include at least one circuit configured to receive an input signal via the input receptacle. The input signal can be between 20 kV and 400 kV. The input signal can be received as an auxiliary supply voltage. The at least one circuit can be configured to generate an output signal indicative of at least one operational characteristic of the X-ray tube. Related systems, and methods of use are also provided.

An apparatus including an X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube can include a cathode and an input receptacle coupled to the cathode. The input receptacle can include a connector configured within the input receptacle. The connector can operatively couple the cathode and the input receptacle. The connector can include at least one circuit configured to receive an input signal via the input receptacle. The input signal can be between 20 kV and 400 kV. The input signal can be received as an auxiliary supply voltage. The at least one circuit can be configured to generate an output signal indicative of at least one operational characteristic of the X-ray tube. Related systems, and methods of use are also provided.