In a vacuum chamber (1), an emitter (3) and a target (7) are opposed to each other. A guard electrode (5) is disposed around an outer circumference of an electron generating portion (31) of the emitter (3). A supporting part (4) supports the emitter (3) movably in an end-to-end direction of the vacuum chamber (1). Reforming treatment is performed on the guard electrode (5) by operating the supporting part (4), moving the emitter (3) to an open end (21) side (non-discharge position) and applying a voltage to repeatedly effect discharge on the guard electrode (5) in a state where field emission from the electron generation portion (31) is suppressed. After the reforming treatment, the supporting part (4) is again operated. The emitter (3) is moved to an open end (22) side (discharge position) and placed in a state where field emission from the electron generation portion (31) is allowed.

An on-chip miniature X-ray source, comprising: an on-chip miniature electron source (10); a first insulating spacer (11) located on one side of the on-chip miniature electron source (10) emitting electrons, the first insulating spacer (11) being of a cavity structure; and an anode (12) located on the first insulating spacer (11), a closed vacuum cavity being formed between the on-chip miniature electron source (10) and the anode (12). The on-chip miniature electron source can be obtained by means of a micromachining technique, further reducing the size thereof, and reducing the manufacturing costs. The on-chip miniature X-ray source has the advantages of stable X-ray dose, low operation vacuum requirement, fast switch response, integrated and mass processing, etc. and can be used in various types of small and portable X-ray detection, analysis and treatment devices.

An X-ray source and a corresponding method for generating X-ray radiation are disclosed. The X-ray source includes a chamber comprising an interaction region, and a first electron source operable to emit a first electron beam, including electrons of a first energy, towards the interaction region such that the first electron beam interacts with a target to generate X-ray radiation. The X-ray source further includes a second electron source adapted to be independently operated to emit a second electron beam including electrons of a second energy for ionising particles in the chamber, and an ion collection tool that is adapted to remove the ionised particles from the chamber by means of an electromagnetic field. By ionising particles and preventing them from moving freely in the chamber, problems related to contamination of the chamber may be mitigated.

An X-ray tube has a housing enclosing a vacuum chamber. There is a primary field-emission cathode within the vacuum chamber, a secondary cathode within the vacuum chamber, spaced apart from the primary cathode, and an anode target within the vacuum chamber.

An X-ray source and a corresponding method for generating X-ray radiation are disclosed. The X-ray source includes a chamber comprising an interaction region, and a first electron source operable to emit a first electron beam, including electrons of a first energy, towards the interaction region such that the first electron beam interacts with a target to generate X-ray radiation. The X-ray source further includes a second electron source adapted to be independently operated to emit a second electron beam including electrons of a second energy for ionising particles in the chamber, and an ion collection tool that is adapted to remove the ionised particles from the chamber by means of an electromagnetic field. By ionising particles and preventing them from moving freely in the chamber, problems related to contamination of the chamber may be mitigated.

Some embodiments include an apparatus, comprising: a vacuum enclosure including an opening; a support structure disposed in the vacuum enclosure, the support structure comprising: a first portion attached to the vacuum enclosure at the opening; and a second portion extending within the vacuum enclosure; and a plurality of getters disposed on the second portion of the support structure.

Disclosed is an x-ray tube including a hybrid electron emission source, which uses, as an electron emission source, a cathode including both a field electron emission source and a thermal electron emission source. An x-ray tube includes an electron emission source emitting an electron beam, and a target part including a target material that emits an x-ray as the emitted electron beam collides with the target part, wherein the electron emission source includes a thermal electron emission source and a field electron emission source, and emits the electron beam by selectively using at least one of the thermal electron emission source and the field electron emission source.

In a vacuum chamber (1), an emitter (3) and a target (7) are opposed to each other. A guard electrode (5) is disposed around an outer circumference of an electron generating portion (31) of the emitter (3). A supporting part (4) supports the emitter (3) movably in an end-to-end direction of the vacuum chamber (1). Reforming treatment is performed on the guard electrode (5) by operating the supporting part (4), moving the emitter (3) to an open end (21) side (non-discharge position) and applying a voltage to repeatedly effect discharge on the guard electrode (5) in a state where field emission from the electron generation portion (31) is suppressed. After the reforming treatment, the supporting part (4) is again operated. The emitter (3) is moved to an open end (22) side (discharge position) and placed in a state where field emission from the electron generation portion (31) is allowed.

Disclosed is an x-ray tube including a hybrid electron emission source, which uses, as an electron emission source, a cathode including both a field electron emission source and a thermal electron emission source. An x-ray tube includes an electron emission source emitting an electron beam, and a target part including a target material that emits an x-ray as the emitted electron beam collides with the target part, wherein the electron emission source includes a thermal electron emission source and a field electron emission source, and emits the electron beam by selectively using at least one of the thermal electron emission source and the field electron emission source.

An X-ray tube has a housing enclosing a vacuum chamber. There is a primary field-emission cathode within the vacuum chamber, a secondary cathode within the vacuum chamber, spaced apart from the primary cathode, and an anode target within the vacuum chamber.