[Object] To provide an electron source that is lightweight, simple in configuration, and capable of suppressing characteristic degradation or recovering characteristics without causing an increase in power consumption.

[Solving Means] A CNT electron source includes: a CNT emitter 32 for emitting electrons; a gate electrode 33 for extracting electrons from the CNT emitter 32; and a gate power supply connection switching relay 37a and a CNT emitter grounding switching relay 37b that cause the gate electrode 33 to emit electrons to irradiate the CNT emitter with electrons.

[Object] To provide an electron source that is lightweight, simple in configuration, and capable of suppressing characteristic degradation or recovering characteristics without causing an increase in power consumption. [Solving Means] A CNT electron source includes: a CNT emitter 32 for emitting electrons; a gate electrode 33 for extracting electrons from the CNT emitter 32; and a gate power supply connection switching relay 37a and a CNT emitter grounding switching relay 37b that cause the gate electrode 33 to emit electrons to irradiate the CNT emitter with electrons.

The present disclosure is directed to an electron source and an X-ray source using the same. The electron source of the present invention comprises: at least two electron emission zones, each of which comprises a plurality of micro electron emission units, wherein the micro electron emission unit comprises: a base layer, an insulating layer on the base layer, a grid layer on the insulating layer, an opening in the grid layer, and an electron emitter that is fixed at the base layer and corresponds to a position of the opening, wherein the micro electron emission units in the same electron emission zone are electrically connected and simultaneously emit electrons or do not emit electrons at the same time, and wherein different electron emission zones are electrically partitioned.

The present disclosure is directed to an electron source and an X-ray source using the same. The electron source of the present invention comprises: at least two electron emission zones, each of which comprises a plurality of micro electron emission units, wherein the micro electron emission unit comprises: a base layer, an insulating layer on the base layer, a grid layer on the insulating layer, an opening in the grid layer, and an electron emitter that is fixed at the base layer and corresponds to a position of the opening, wherein the micro electron emission units in the same electron emission zone are electrically connected and simultaneously emit electrons or do not emit electrons at the same time, and wherein different electron emission zones are electrically partitioned.