A solid X-ray target for generating X-ray radiation is disclosed. The X-ray target includes at least one material selected from a list including trivalent elements; and at least one material selected from a list including pentavalent elements, wherein a first one of the materials is capable of generating the X-ray radiation upon interaction with an electron beam, and a second one of the materials forms a compound with the first one of the materials. An X-ray source including such an X-ray target and an electron source is also disclosed.

Some embodiments include an x-ray system, comprising: a structure having a hole having an axially extending wall; and a nozzle disposed in the hole; wherein the nozzle and the axially extending wall form a plurality of axially extending helical fluid channels. Some embodiments include an x-ray system formed by shaping tubing to form a plurality of axially extending helical flutes; and forming a plurality of axially extending helical fluid channels by inserting the shaped tubing into a hole in a structure.

A system for generating X-ray beams from a liquid target includes a vacuum chamber, a diamond window assembly, an electron source, a target material flow system, and an X-ray detector/imager. An electron beam from the electron source travels through the diamond window assembly and into a dynamic target material of the flow system. Preferably, the dynamic target material is lead bismuth eutectic in a liquid state. Upon colliding with the dynamic target material, X-rays are generated. The generated X-rays exit through an X-ray exit window to be captured by the X-ray detector/imager. Since the dynamic target material is constantly in fluid motion within a pipeline of the flow system, the electron beam always has a new target area which is at a controlled operational temperature and thus, prevents overheating issues. By providing a small focus area for the electron beams, the overall imaging resolution of the X-rays is also improved.

Apparatus and methods to deliver kV X-rays toward a target lesion within a body including: a treatment anode configured to receive electron beams and output the kV X-rays through a specially-designed collimator; an electron beam source configured to generate and direct the electron beams toward the treatment anode; and at least one magnet configured to steer and scan the electron beams along the treatment anode to prevent overheating of the treatment anode. The components are mounted on a gantry that rotates about the target lesion to distribute the dose delivered over a large volume of healthy tissue while substantially maximizing the dose delivered to the target lesion.

A computer tomograph (1) for X-ray imaging includes a rotationally fixed gantry (2) that is displaceable at most in the axial direction (z). A plurality of X-ray emitters (3) and X-ray detectors (4) is arranged in the gantry (2) in a fixed manner about a central geometrical axis (z), in each case opposite to one another and offset with respect to each other in the direction of the central axis (z). The X-ray emitters (3) have cathodes (5) as electron emitters, which are separately connected to emitter controls (25) and cooperate with a common extraction grid (26) connected upstream of at least one focusing electrode (27). In comparison to conventional computer tomographs having rotating or rigidly arranged technical X-ray components, the computer tomograph (1) has a light and compact design.

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 source and a corresponding method for generating X-ray radiation are disclosed. The X-ray source includes a target generator, an electron source and a mixing tool. The target generator is adapted to form a liquid jet propagating through an interaction region, whereas the electron source is adapted to provide an electron beam directed towards the interaction region such that the electron beam interacts with the liquid jet to generate X-ray radiation. The mixing tool is adapted to induce mixing of the liquid jet at a distance downstream of the interaction region such that a maximum surface temperature of the liquid jet is below a threshold temperature. By controlling the maximum surface temperature, vaporisation, and thus the amount of contaminations originating from the jet, may be reduced.

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.

A MBFEX tube (1) for an x-ray device comprises, in a vacuum tube (20), an anode (30) designed as a cooling finger and securely arranged in the vacuum tube, and a plurality of securely arranged cathodes (40, 41, 42), wherein the vacuum tube (20) comprises a plurality of cathode feed lines (50) and no more than two high-voltage bushings (51, 52), in a high-voltage bushing (52) a coolant pipe (31) is passed through by an internal coolant inner pipe (32), the coolant pipe (31) and the coolant inner pipe (32) are provided for cooling the anode (30) with a liquid coolant, the cathodes (40, 41, 42) are provided for field emission of electrons and are arranged on the anode (30) for generating x-ray sources (Q).

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.