Provided are a scanning-type X-ray source and an imaging system therefor. The scanning-type X-ray source comprises a vacuum cavity (1), wherein a cathode (2) and a plurality of anode target structures (3) are arranged in the vacuum cavity (1); a gate electrode (4) is arranged in a position, close to the cathode (2), in the vacuum cavity (1); a focusing electrode (5) is arranged in a position, close to the gate electrode (4), in the vacuum cavity (1); and a deflection coil (6) is arranged in a position, close to the gate electrode (4), at the outer periphery of the vacuum cavity (1). The scanning-type X-ray source generates electron beams by using cathode (2), controls the powering-on/off of the electron beams by the gate electrode (4), and the deflection coil (6) controls the direction of motion of the electron beams, so as to complete the switching between multiple focuses.

Embodiments provide a stationary X-ray source for a multisource X-ray imaging system for tomographic imaging. The stationary X-ray source includes an array of thermionic cathodes and, in most embodiments a rotating anode. The anode rotates about a rotation axis, however the anode is stationary in the horizontal or vertical dimensions (e.g. about axes perpendicular to the rotation axis). The elimination of mechanical motion improves the image quality by elimination of mechanical vibration and source motion; simplifies system design that reduces system size and cost; increases angular coverage with no increase in scan time; and results in short scan times to, in medical some medical imaging applications, reduce patient-motion-induced blurring.

The present invention relates to a rotary anode X-ray source. In addition to a primary cathode of a rotary anode X-ray tube, an auxiliary cathode is provided in the rotary anode X-ray tube. Electrons from the auxiliary cathode are focused into an area on the anode, from which X-rays cannot enter the used X-ray beam generated by the primary cathode. An emission current controlling device is used to control the electron emission of the auxiliary cathode. Thus, the voltage down-ramp for dual energy scanning is kept constant even though the primary X-ray output changes for the sake of dose modulation or during a transient of the primary electron current.

The present disclosure provides a cathode emission device. The cathode emission device may comprise a cathode assembly, including: a first filament, a second filament, and a grid electrode. The grid electrode may be operably connected to the first filament and surrounding the first filament and the second filament. The cathode assembly may be configured to be operably connected to a high-voltage generator and switchable between a first connection configuration and a second connection configuration.

A linac-based X-ray system for cargo scanning and imaging applications uses linac design, RF power control, beam current control, and beam current pulse duration control to provide stable sequences of pulses having different energy levels or different doses.

Provided is an X-ray tube including a cathode structure, an anode spaced apart from the cathode structure, a spacer structure disposed between the cathode structure and the anode, and an external power supply connected to each of the cathode structure, the anode, and the spacer structure. Here, the spacer structure includes a first spacer disposed adjacent to the cathode structure and a second spacer disposed on the first spacer and disposed adjacent to the anode. The first spacer includes a first portion adjacent to the cathode structure and a second portion adjacent to a contact point of the first spacer and the second spacer. The second spacer includes a third portion adjacent to the contact point and a fourth portion adjacent to the anode. Each of the first portion and the third portion has a volume resistivity less than that of the second portion.

Presented systems and methods facilitate efficient and effective generation and delivery of radiation. In one embodiment, a radiation system includes a patient station, wherein the patient station includes a plurality of accelerator systems, and a microwave generation system configured to generate microwaves for the plurality of accelerators. The plurality of accelerators can be configured to provide substantially simultaneous multiple radiation beams from the plurality of accelerators. In one exemplary implementation, the microwave generation system includes a plurality of radio frequency (RF) sources, wherein respective ones of the plurality of RF sources generate separate microwave signals for corresponding respective ones of the plurality of accelerator systems, and a plurality of modulators, wherein respective ones of the plurality of modulators modulate generation of the separate microwave signals by the respective ones of the plurality of RF sources. The respective ones of the plurality of RF sources and plurality of modulators can be included in a respective plurality of RF chains, wherein respective ones of the plurality of RF chains include a respective circulator and dose rate servo. Multiple radiation beams from the respective plurality of accelerator systems are configured to be transmitted from different orientations.

A method is for closed-loop control of an X-ray pulse chain generated via a linear accelerator system. In an embodiment, the method includes modulating a first electron beam within a first radio-frequency pulse duration, wherein the first multiple amplitude X-ray pulse is produced on modulating the first electron beam; measuring time-resolved actual values of the first multiple amplitude X-ray pulse; adjusting at least one pulse parameter as a function of a comparison of the specified multiple amplitude X-ray pulse profile and the measured time-resolved actual values; and modulating a second electron beam within a second radio-frequency pulse duration as a function of the at least one adjusted pulse parameter for production of the second multiple amplitude X-ray pulse, so the X-ray pulse chain is controlled.

A linac-based X-ray system for cargo scanning and imaging applications uses linac design, RF power control, beam current control, and beam current pulse duration control to provide stable sequences of pulses having different energy levels or different doses.

An apparatus includes: a structure having a lumen for accommodating a beam, wherein the structure is a component of a medical radiation machine having a target for interaction with the beam to generate radiation; and a first beam position monitor comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode being mounted to a first side of the structure, the second electrode being mounted to a second side of the structure, the second side being opposite from the first side; wherein the first beam position monitor is located upstream with respect to the target.