The present invention relates to a portable X-ray tube, and more particularly, to a portable X-ray tube capable of miniaturization and weight reduction by reducing the structural volume of the X-ray tube by installing cathodes in the same direction together with the fixed anode. The portable X-ray tube comprises: an anode portion comprising an anode heat sink for conducting and dissipating heat transferred through the anode, an anode formed on the upper part of the anode heat sink, and an anode target formed on the inclined surface of the upper end of the anode; a cathode portion installed in parallel with the anode through the installation hole of the cathode portion formed in the anode heat sink; and a vacuum bulb fixed to the heat sink to seal the anode portion and the cathode portion with a vacuum; wherein the X-rays emitted through the anode target are irradiated to the upward direction as the installation direction of the anode.

A target assembly for generating radiation may comprise a target, a substrate and a window. The target may be capable of generating first radiation when impinged by a beam. The window may be at least partially permeable to the beam. The window and the substrate may form at least part of a hermetically sealed chamber and the target may be positioned in the chamber. The chamber may be filled with air having a normal or reduced content of oxygen.

A target assembly for generating radiation may comprise a target, a substrate and a window. The target may be capable of generating first radiation when impinged by a beam. The window may be at least partially permeable to the beam. The window and the substrate may form at least part of a hermetically sealed chamber and the target may be positioned in the chamber. The chamber may be filled with air having a normal or reduced content of oxygen.

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.

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.

An x-ray device is for creation of high-energy x-ray radiation. In an embodiment, the x-ray device includes a linear accelerator. The linear accelerator, for creation of x-ray radiation, is embodied so as to create an electron beam directed onto a target, of which the kinetic energy per electron amounts to at least 1 MeV. In an embodiment, the x-ray device further includes a beam limiting device, arranged in the beam path of the electron beam between linear accelerator and the target, including an edge region surrounding a beam limiting device opening. A material thickness of the edge region, in a propagation direction of the accelerated electron beam emerging from the linear accelerator, amounting to less than 10% of the average reach of electrons of the created kinetic energy in the material of the edge region.

A computer tomograph (1) for mammographic x-ray imaging includes a MBFEX tube (20) and a flat-bed x-ray detector (30). Cathodes (40) are arranged in a fixed manner in rows in the MBFEX tube (20), the cathodes (40) being provided for the field emission of electrons. Geometry, radiation density and wavelength range of an x-ray beam (b) can be set. The MBFEX tube (20) is movable parallel (z) to the flat-bed x-ray detector (30). The flat bed x-ray detector (30) includes a moveable x-ray screen (31), the opening of which can be set. Using the x-ray screen (31), an imaging area (A) on the detector surface (D) of the flat-bed x-ray detector (30) can be selected and moved. Compared to conventional computer tomographs having rotating x-ray components, the computer tomograph (1) has a lighter and more compact design, with which a particularly small focal spot size is achieved.

Fabrication of a multi-layer X-ray source is disclosed using bulk structures to fabricate a multi-layer target structure. In one implementation, layers of X-ray generating material, such as tungsten, are interleaved with thermally conductive layers, such as diamond layers. To prevent delamination of the layers, various mechanical, chemical, and/or structural approaches may also be employed.

Fabrication of a multi-layer X-ray source is disclosed using bulk structures to fabricate a multi-layer target structure. In one implementation, layers of X-ray generating material, such as tungsten, are interleaved with thermally conductive layers, such as diamond layers. To prevent delamination of the layers, various mechanical, chemical, and/or structural approaches may also be employed.

An x-ray source can include an x-ray tube, and a heat sink for removal of heat from the x-ray tube. The heat sink can be thermally coupled to the anode and can extend away from the anode along a heat sink longitudinal axis. The heat sink can have a base and a fin extending from the base. The base can have a greater thickness nearer the anode, and a reduced thickness along the heat sink longitudinal axis to a smaller thickness farther from the anode.