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; a third 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; wherein the third grid is a mesh grid.

A rotary-transmission-target microfocus X-ray source and an X-ray generation method based on the rotary-transmission-target microfocus X-ray source are provided. The X-ray source comprises a chamber, and an electron beam system is installed in the chamber. The electron beam system is arranged on a same side as an anode target rotating shaft. A motor in a rotary anode target system drives an anode target to rotate through a bevel gear transmission device. The microstructure of a target is designed. An electron beam emitted by the electron beam system vertically bombards the metal target of the rotating anode target. A cooling system is configured to cool the anode target.

A rotary-transmission-target microfocus X-ray source and an X-ray generation method based on the rotary-transmission-target microfocus X-ray source are provided. The X-ray source comprises a chamber, and an electron beam system is installed in the chamber. The electron beam system is arranged on a same side as an anode target rotating shaft. A motor in a rotary anode target system drives an anode target to rotate through a bevel gear transmission device. The microstructure of a target is designed. An electron beam emitted by the electron beam system vertically bombards the metal target of the rotating anode target. A cooling system is configured to cool the anode target.

Systems and methods are provided for improving thermal management strategies of a cathode assembly of an x-ray tube. In one embodiment, an x-ray tube comprises an anode assembly and a cathode assembly, wherein the cathode assembly includes one or more elements that include an internal porous section for controlling a flow of heat within the cathode assembly during operation of the x-ray tube. In this way, heat conduction to temperature sensitive aspects of the cathode assembly may be reduced, while enabling sufficient heat transfer to other parts of the cathode assembly to minimize deformation.

A apparatus may include a power supply to receive a first voltage potential and output a second voltage potential that is greater than the first voltage potential and a cathode emitter to emit ions in response to application of the second voltage potential. The apparatus may also include a step down transformer to receive the second voltage potential and output a third voltage potential that is less than the second voltage potential. The apparatus may also include a heating element to, in response to application of the third voltage potential, heat the cathode emitter and lower a work function of the cathode emitter.

A component part in a vacuum area of an X-ray tube with an opening through which an electron beam is guided. The component part includes a base body made of a first material, wherein the first material is a metal. Arranged on a surface forming the opening is a second material having an atomic number which is smaller than an atomic number of the first material. A target support is attached to an end of the component part. The target support supports a target which is aligned with a lens diaphragm formed at the end of the component part. The target support has a base body made of a first material which is a metal, and a second material formed on a surface of the base body that is selectively exposed to the electron beam and which extends between the target and the lens diaphragm.

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.

X-ray transparent insulation can be sandwiched between an x-ray window and a ground plate. The x-ray transparent insulation can include aluminum nitride, boron nitride, or polyetherimide. The x-ray transparent insulation can include a curved side. The x-ray transparent insulation can be transparent to x-rays and resistant to x-ray damage, and can have high thermal conductivity. An x-ray window can have high thermal conductivity, high electrical conductivity, high melting point, low cost, and matched coefficient of thermal conductivity with the anode. The x-ray window can be made of tungsten. For consistent x-ray spot size and location, a focusing plate and a filament can be attached to a cathode with an open channel of the focusing plate aligned with a longitudinal dimension of the filament. Tabs of the focusing plate bordering the open channel can be bent to align with a location of the filament.

An X-ray generation apparatus includes an electron gun emitting an electron beam having a circular cross-sectional shape, a magnetic focusing lens located downstream of the electron gun and focusing the electron beam while rotating the electron beam around an axis along a first direction, a magnetic quadrupole lens located downstream of the magnetic focusing lens and deforming the cross-sectional shape of the electron beam into an elliptical shape having a major axis along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and a minor axis along a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, and a target located downstream of the magnetic quadrupole lens and emitting an X-ray in response to incidence of the electron beam.

An X-ray generation apparatus includes an electron gun emitting an electron beam having a circular cross-sectional shape, a magnetic focusing lens located downstream of the electron gun and focusing the electron beam while rotating the electron beam around an axis along a first direction, a magnetic quadrupole lens located downstream of the magnetic focusing lens and deforming the cross-sectional shape of the electron beam into an elliptical shape having a major axis along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and a minor axis along a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, and a target located downstream of the magnetic quadrupole lens and emitting an X-ray in response to incidence of the electron beam.