Disclosed is an electron beam generation source including: an electron discharge part extending on a desired axis and configured to discharge electrons; a support part electrically connected to a power supply device that supplies electric power to the electron discharge part; a tension holding part connected between one end of the electron discharge part and the support part and configured to hold tension of the electron discharge part with a pressing force or a tensile force; and a power supply path part having one end electrically connected to the support part and the other end electrically connected to the one end of the electron discharge part. An electric resistance value of the tension holding part is larger than an electric resistance value of the power supply path part.

According to one embodiment, an X-ray tube includes an anode target, a cathode including a filament and a convergence electrode which includes a groove portion, and an envelope. The groove portion includes a pair of first bottom surfaces which are located in the same plane as the filament and between which the filament is interposed in a width direction of the groove portion, and a pair of second bottom surfaces between which the filament and the pair of first bottom surfaces are interposed in a length direction of the groove portion and which are located closer to an opening of the groove portion than the pair of first bottom surfaces.

A focused ion beam system includes a gas ion source and an emitter structure. The emitter structure includes a pair of conductive pins fixed to a base member, a filament connected between the pair of conductive pins, and an emitter which has a tip end with one atom or three atoms and which is connected to the filament. A supporting member is fixed to the base material, and the emitter is connected to the supporting member.

A focused ion beam system includes a gas ion source and an emitter structure. The emitter structure includes a pair of conductive pins fixed to a base member, a filament connected between the pair of conductive pins, and an emitter which has a tip end with one atom or three atoms and which is connected to the filament. A supporting member is fixed to the base material, and the emitter is connected to the supporting member.

The present invention relates to an electron gun cathode mount adapted at one end to secure a thermionic cathode and at the other end to be connected to an attachment member, wherein the electron gun cathode mount is structured so as to be capable of, when in use, reducing heat transfer from the thermionic cathode to the attachment member, and the material forming the electron gun cathode mount has a thermal conductivity of less than 10 Wm.sup.1K.sup.1 at the operating temperature of the thermionic cathode in a direction from the thermionic cathode to the attachment member. The present invention also relates to an electron gun assembly having the electron gun cathode mount installed therein.

The present invention relates to an electron gun cathode mount adapted at one end to secure a thermionic cathode and at the other end to be connected to an attachment member, wherein the electron gun cathode mount is structured so as to be capable of, when in use, reducing heat transfer from the thermionic cathode to the attachment member, and the material forming the electron gun cathode mount has a thermal conductivity of less than 10 Wm.sup.1K.sup.1 at the operating temperature of the thermionic cathode in a direction from the thermionic cathode to the attachment member. The present invention also relates to an electron gun assembly having the electron gun cathode mount installed therein.

A filament assembly 10 for an x-ray tube 20 can include a planar filament 11 electrically-coupled between and substantially-encircled by a pair of collector plates C1 and C2. The pair of collector plates C1 and C2 can support the planar filament 11 so that it does not twist or warp and align the filament assembly 10 within a cathode cup 33. The pair of collector plates C1 and C2 can block electrons emitted from a back side of the filament. Without the collector plates C1 and C2, back side electrons can change direction by about 180, hit the target, and distort a target electron spot. Each collector plate C1 or C2 can include holes H1 and H2. These holes H1 and H2 can aid in alignment of the collector plates C1 and C2 with electrodes 31 and electrode 32, can allow welding at a lower temperature, and can facilitate weld inspection.

A filament assembly 10 for an x-ray tube 20 can include a planar filament 11 electrically-coupled between and substantially-encircled by a pair of collector plates C1 and C2. The pair of collector plates C1 and C2 can support the planar filament 11 so that it does not twist or warp and align the filament assembly 10 within a cathode cup 33. The pair of collector plates C1 and C2 can block electrons emitted from a back side of the filament. Without the collector plates C1 and C2, back side electrons can change direction by about 180, hit the target, and distort a target electron spot. Each collector plate C1 or C2 can include holes H1 and H2. These holes H1 and H2 can aid in alignment of the collector plates C1 and C2 with electrodes 31 and electrode 32, can allow welding at a lower temperature, and can facilitate weld inspection.