An analytical X-ray tube with an anode target material that emits characteristic X-rays in response to excitation by an electron beam may include any of several advantageous features. The target material is deposited on a diamond substrate layer, and a metal carbide intermediate layer may be provided between the target material and substrate that provides enhanced bonding therebetween. An interface layer may also be used that provides an acoustic impedance matching between the target material and the substrate. For a low thermal conductivity target material, a heat dissipation layer of a higher thermal conductivity material may also be included between the target material and substrate to enhance thermal transfer. The target material may have a thickness that corresponds to a maximum penetration depth of the electrons of the electron beam, and the structure may be such that a predetermined temperature range is maintained at the substrate interface.

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.

Technology is described for steep angle of a focal track of an anode of an x-ray tube. In one example, an anode includes a disc-shaped anode and a focal track. The disc-shaped anode includes a bearing-facing surface, a window-facing surface positioned opposite the bearing-facing surface, and a focal track positioned between the window-facing surface and the bearing-facing surface, wherein the focal track is angled with respect to the window-facing surface, and the angle between the focal track and the window-facing surface is between 45 and 89.

The disclosure relates to a rotating-anode bearing for an X-ray tube comprising a rotor shaft extending along a longitudinal axis from a first axial end to a second axial end and supported to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis; wherein the rotor shaft has an anode holder in the area of the first axial end; and the anode holder comprises a flange which has a larger diameter than at least an adjacent section of the rotor shaft.

The rotating-anode bearing according to the disclosure wherein the rotor shaft together with the flange is made as an integrally forged part.

According to one embodiment, a rotating anode X-ray tube including a rotating cylinder, a rotating shaft fixed to the inside of the rotating cylinder, an anode fixing body arranged between the rotating cylinder and the rotating shaft, extending in the axial direction, and constituted of one of a magnetic substance member formed of a magnetic substance and a heat-transfer enhancing member heat conductivity of which is higher than surrounding members, ball bearings, and an inner member, connected to the anode fixing body by a connecting member, and constituted of one of the magnetic substance member and the heat-transfer enhancing member, one being different from the member constituting the anode fixing body.

A system for x-ray analysis includes at least one x-ray source configured to emit x-rays. The at least one x-ray source includes at least one silicon carbide sub-source on or embedded in at least one thermally conductive substrate and configured to generate the x-rays in response to electron bombardment of the at least one silicon carbide sub-source. At least some of the x-rays emitted from the at least one x-ray source includes Si x-ray emission line x-rays. The system further includes at least one x-ray optical train configured to receive the Si x-ray emission line x-rays and to irradiate a sample with at least some of the Si x-ray emission line x-rays.

An anode for an X-ray tube can include one or more of an yttrium-oxide derivative, titanium diboride, boron carbide, titanium suboxide, reaction-bonded silicon carbide, and reaction-bonded silicon nitride. Upon collision with an anode, the kinetic energy of an electron beam in an X-ray tube is converted to high-frequency electromagnetic waves, i.e., X-rays. An anode from one or more of the above materials and a gradient distribution of conductive metals can reduce costs and/or weight, extend the life of the anode or associated components (e.g., bearings) and simultaneously provide a higher heat storage capacity as compared to traditional molybdenum and tungsten anodes.

A process for repairing a damaged annular region of an anode configured to emit x-rays includes the step of machining the damaged annular region made of an initial target coating to a depth smaller than a thickness of the coating so as to leave behind a residual annular layer. An intermediate layer is then deposited on the residual annular layer. A repairing layer is then deposited on the intermediate layer. A heat treatment is then performed using an anneal which causes, by interdiffusion and formation of a solid solution, the material of the intermediate layer and the material of the residual annular layer to diffuse into each other and further cause the material of the intermediate layer and the material of the repairing layer diffuse into each other. As a result of this anneal the intermediate layer disappears.

An x-ray illumination beam system includes an electron emitter and a target having one or more target microstructures. The one or more microstructures may be the same or different material, and may be embedded or placed atop a substrate formed of a heat-conducting material. The x-ray source may emit x-rays towards an optic system, which can include one or more optics that are matched to one or more target microstructures. The matching can be achieved by selecting optics with the geometric shape, size, and surface coating that collects as many x-rays as possible from the source and at an angle that satisfies the critical reflection angle of the x-ray energies of interest from the target. The x-ray illumination beam system allows for an x-ray source that generates x-rays having different spectra and can be used in a variety of applications.

An x-ray illumination beam system includes an electron emitter and a target having one or more target microstructures. The one or more microstructures may be the same or different material, and may be embedded or placed atop a substrate formed of a heat-conducting material. The x-ray source may emit x-rays towards an optic system, which can include one or more optics that are matched to one or more target microstructures. The matching can be achieved by selecting optics with the geometric shape, size, and surface coating that collects as many x-rays as possible from the source and at an angle that satisfies the critical reflection angle of the x-ray energies of interest from the target. The x-ray illumination beam system allows for an x-ray source that generates x-rays having different spectra and can be used in a variety of applications.