An X-ray target assembly includes a cylindrical base and a cylindrical multilayered X-ray target that includes at least a heat transfer layer, an X-ray source layer and an adhesion layer provided between the heat transfer layer and the X-ray source layer, wherein the X-ray target is oriented such that the heat transfer layer is closest to the base, wherein the X-ray target is placed on top of a cylindrical carrying element, wherein the in-plane coefficient of thermal expansion of each of the heat transfer layer, the X-ray source layer, the adhesion layer and of the material of the carrying element is different, wherein the in-plane coefficient of thermal expansion of the heat transfer layer is the lowest and that of the material of the carrying element the highest.

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.

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.

Disclosed herein are a high-voltage generator for an x-ray source, an x-ray gun, an electron beam apparatus, a rotary vacuum seal, a target assembly for an x-ray source, a rotary x-ray emission target, and an x-ray source. These various aspects may separately and/or together enable the construction of an x-ray source which can operate at energies of up to 500 kV and beyond, which is suitable for use in commercial and research x-ray applications such as computerized tomography. In particular, the high-voltage generator includes a shield electrode electrically connected intermediate of a first voltage multiplier and a second voltage multiplier. The electron beam apparatus includes control photodetectors and photo emitters having a transparent conductive shield arranged therebetween. The rotary vacuum seal includes a pumpable chamber at a position intermediate between high-pressure and low-pressure ends of a bore for a rotating shaft. The rotary target assembly is configured such that when a torque between a bearing housing and a vacuum housing exceeds a predetermined torque, the bearing housing rotates relative to the vacuum housing. The rotary x-ray emission target has a plurality of target plates supported on a hub, the plates being arranged on the hub to provide an annular target region about an axis rotation of the hub. The x-ray gun is provided with a shield electrode maintained at a potential difference relative to the x-ray target different to the electron beam emission cathode.

Disclosed herein are a high-voltage generator (120) for an x-ray source, an x-ray gun, an electron beam apparatus, a rotary vacuum seal, a target assembly for an x-ray source, a rotary x-ray emission target (500), and an x-ray source. These various aspects may separately and/or together enable the construction of an x-ray source which can operate at energies of up to 500 kV and beyond, which is suitable for use in commercial and research x-ray applications such as computerized tomography. In particular, the high-voltage generator includes a shield electrode (123a, 123b) electrically connected intermediate of a first voltage multiplier (122a, 122b) and a second voltage multiplier (122b, 122c). The electron beam apparatus includes control photodetectors (202a, 202bnot shown) and photo emitters (201a, 202a) having a transparent conductive shield (203a and 203b, 203cnot shown) arranged therebetween. The rotary vacuum seal includes a pumpable chamber (302) at a position intermediate between high-pressure and low-pressure ends of a bore (301) for a rotating shaft (401). The rotary target assembly is configured such that when a torque between a bearing housing (403) and a vacuum housing exceeds a predetermined torque, the bearing housing rotates relative to the vacuum housing. The rotary x-ray emission target (500) has a plurality of target plates (560) supported on a hub, the plates being arranged on the hub to provide an annular target region about an axis rotation of the hub. The x-ray gun is provided with a shield electrode (123a) maintained at a potential difference relative to the x-ray target different to the electron beam emission cathode.

An anode member includes a first metal tube and a second metal tube having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is larger than that of the first metal tube. A peripheral portion of a target is bonded to the anode member via a bonding material that is arranged so as to extend over the first metal tube and the second metal tube.

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.

Disclosed herein are a high-voltage generator for an x-ray source, an x-ray gun, an electron beam apparatus, a rotary vacuum seal, a target assembly for an x-ray source, a rotary x-ray emission target, and an x-ray source. These various aspects may separately and/or together enable the construction of an x-ray source which can operate at energies of up to 500 kV and beyond, which is suitable for use in commercial and research x-ray applications such as computerized tomography. In particular, the high-voltage generator includes a shield electrode electrically connected intermediate of a first voltage multiplier and a second voltage multiplier. The electron beam apparatus includes control photodetectors and photo emitters having a transparent conductive shield arranged therebetween. The rotary vacuum seal includes a pumpable chamber at a position intermediate between high-pressure and low-pressure ends of a bore for a rotating shaft. The rotary target assembly is configured such that when a torque between a bearing housing and a vacuum housing exceeds a predetermined torque, the bearing housing rotates relative to the vacuum housing. The rotary x-ray emission target has a plurality of target plates supported on a hub, the plates being arranged on the hub to provide an annular target region about an axis rotation of the hub. The x-ray gun is provided with a shield electrode maintained at a potential difference relative to the x-ray target different to the electron beam emission cathode.

Disclosed herein are a high-voltage generator for an x-ray source, an x-ray gun, an electron beam apparatus, a rotary vacuum seal, a target assembly for an x-ray source, a rotary x-ray emission target, and an x-ray source. These various aspects may separately and/or together enable the construction of an x-ray source which can operate at energies of up to 500 kV and beyond, which is suitable for use in commercial and research x-ray applications such as computerised tomography. In particular, the high-voltage generator includes a shield electrode electrically connected intermediate of a first voltage multiplier and a second voltage multiplier. The electron beam apparatus includes control photodetectors and photo emitters having a transparent conductive shield arranged therebetween. The rotary vacuum seal includes a pumpable chamber at a position intermediate between high-pressure and low-pressure ends of a bore for a rotating shaft. The rotary target assembly is configured such that when a torque between a bearing housing and a vacuum housing exceeds a predetermined torque, the bearing housing rotates relative to the vacuum housing. The rotary x-ray emission target has a plurality of target plates supported on a hub, the plates being arranged on the hub to provide an annular target region about an axis rotation of the hub. The x-ray gun is provided with a shield electrode maintained at a potential difference relative to the x-ray target different to the electron beam emission cathode.

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.