An x-ray tube, comprising: a field emitter including an emission surface; an anode; and a focus electrode disposed between the field emitter and the anode; wherein: the focus electrode includes: a first surface that is substantially perpendicular to the field emitter emission surface and nearest to the field emitter; a second surface that is axially nearest to the anode, wherein the field emitter and the anode form an axis; and a third surface that extends between the first surface and the second surface; and a first location on the focus electrode between the first surface and the third surface is further from the anode than a second location on the focus electrode between the third surface and the second surface.

An x-ray tube includes an electron emitter to emit an electron beam; and a multilayer anode including a first anode layer facing the electron beam and a second anode layer facing away from the electron beam. The first anode layer includes a first anode material to generate a braking radiation via the electron beam and the second anode layer includes a second anode material to generate a further x-ray radiation via the braking radiation. Thee further x-ray radiation is relatively more monochromatic than the braking radiation and wherein the first anode layer and the second anode layer adjoin in a planar manner.

According to some aspects, a carrier configured for use with a broadband x-ray source comprising an electron source and a primary target arranged to receive electrons from the electron source to produce broadband x-ray radiation in response to electrons impinging on the primary target is provided. The carrier comprising a housing configured to be removably coupled to the broadband x-ray source and configured to accommodate a secondary target capable of producing monochromatic x-ray radiation in response to incident broadband x-ray radiation, the housing comprising a transmissive portion configured to allow broadband x-ray radiation to be transmitted to the secondary target when present, and a blocking portion configured to absorb broadband x-ray radiation.

A cylindrical X-ray tube having an outer insulating layer, a cathode electrode and an anode electrode disposed at both ends of the outer insulating layer, a gate electrode disposed between the cathode and anode electrodes, an emitter, and a target, comprises an inner insulating layer which is disposed between the cathode electrode and the outer insulating layer, is formed to extend downward in a coaxial direction with the outer insulating layer, and is pre-adjusted in order to secure an insulating distance between the cathode electrode and the gate electrode. Thus, by providing a separate internal insulating layer extending coaxially with the external insulating layer between the cathode electrode and the external insulating layer, the insulating distance between the cathode electrode and the gate electrode, the insulating distance between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode may be easily adjusted, so that a desired insulating capability can be secured.

An x-ray target, x-ray source, and x-ray system are provided. The x-ray target includes a thermally conductive substrate comprising a surface and at least one structure on or embedded in at least a portion of the surface. The at least one structure includes a thermally conductive first material in thermal communication with the substrate. The first material has a length along a first direction parallel to the portion of the surface in a range greater than 1 millimeter and a width along a second direction parallel to the portion of the surface and perpendicular to the first direction. The width is in a range of 0.2 millimeter to 3 millimeters. The at least one structure further includes at least one layer over the first material. The at least one layer includes at least one second material different from the first material. The at least one layer has a thickness in a range of 2 microns to 50 microns. The at least one second material is configured to generate x-rays upon irradiation by electrons.

The invention relates to an electron antenna as an anode for a micro- or nano-focus X-ray generation comprising an antenna base and an antenna element arranged on the antenna base such that the antenna element protrudes from a front surface of the antenna base, wherein the antenna is arranged to guide and attract the electrons in its vicinity to the top the antenna element.

An X-ray tube includes an electron gun, a target that generates X-rays, and a vacuum housing that accommodates the electron gun and the target. The vacuum housing has a metal portion having an X-ray emission window, and an insulation valve connected to the metal portion. The metal portion has a cylinder portion in which the X-ray emission window is provided and which surrounds a tube axis of the vacuum housing, and a tapered portion which is connected to an end portion of the cylinder portion, surrounds the tube axis, and protrudes such that a connection part between the metal portion and an insulation valve is covered. The tapered portion has a shape increased in diameter such that a separation distance between a distal end portion and the tube axis is longer than a separation distance between a base end portion and the tube axis.

An X-ray tube includes a rod-shaped anode which includes a target receiving electrons and generating X-rays and has a main body portion extending in a direction of a tube axis; a vacuum housing which accommodates a distal end side of the anode having the target disposed therein and in which a proximal end side of the anode is fixed by a housing coupling portion; and a cover electrode which is disposed inside the vacuum housing, is coupled to the anode by a cover coupling portion, and surrounds the housing coupling portion. The anode has a third diameter increasing portion protruding from a front surface of the main body portion in a direction intersecting the tube axis. The cover coupling portion is disposed closer to the proximal end side of the anode than the third diameter increasing portion.

An X-ray tube includes a metal portion in which an X-ray emission window is provided, an insulation valve which is joined to the metal portion and forms a vacuum region in cooperation with the metal portion, and a target and an electron gun which are accommodated in the vacuum region. The insulation valve has a low resistivity glass portion joined to the metal portion, and a high resistivity glass portion for fixing an anode including the target. A volume resistivity of a material forming the low resistivity glass portion is lower than a volume resistivity of a material forming the high resistivity glass portion. According to this configuration, electrification of the insulation valve is curbed, so that deterioration in withstand voltage ability of the insulation valve is curbed, and electric discharge caused by electrification is curbed.

According to some aspects, a monochromatic x-ray source is provided. The monochromatic x-ray source comprises an electron source configured to generate electrons, a primary target arranged to receive electrons from the electron source to produce broadband x-ray radiation in response to electrons impinging on the primary target, and a secondary target comprising at least one layer of material capable of producing monochromatic x-ray radiation in response to incident broadband x-ray radiation emitted by the primary target.