Various methods and systems are provided for a cathode cup having a surface texturing to aid in adherence of emitter deposited films. In one embodiment, a method may include chemically and/or mechanically texturing a surface of a cathode cup to form a plurality of features with a higher than threshold depth of each feature, the surface of the cathode cup facing an emitter coupled to the cathode cup.

A device and method for creating beam formed X-Ray radiation using radio frequency (RF) modulated field emission X-ray sources is described. A radio frequency RF source generates a RF control signal which is supplied to an array of phase delay elements to generate multiple individually controlled phase delayed RF signals. These are then directly provided to each of a plurality of field emission sources (via a matching circuit) to generate a plurality of RF modulated electron current, or beam, each at the same frequency and phase delay of the phase delayed RF signals. Each of the electron beams impacts a target anode to generate X-rays also at the same frequency and phase delay of the phase delayed RF signals. By controlling each of the phase delay elements a beamformed X-ray radiation pattern can be generated.

A vacuum electron tube comprises at least one electron-emitting cathode and at least one anode arranged in a vacuum chamber, the cathode having a planar structure comprising a substrate comprising a conductive material, a plurality of nanotube or nanowire elements electrically insulated from the substrate, the longitudinal axis of the nanotube or nanowire elements substantially parallel to the plane of the substrate, and at least one first connector electrically linked to at least one nanotube or nanowire element so as to be able to apply a first electrical potential to the nanowire or nanotube element.

A device and method for creating controlled radio frequency (RF) modulated X-ray radiation is described. The device includes an anode housed within a vacuum enclosure which acts to accelerate and convert an electron beam into X-ray radiation. A RF enclosure is housed within the vacuum enclosure and houses a field emission device, such as a carbon nanotube field emission device or similar cold cathode field emission device. The field emission device is biased to emit the electron beam from a field emission cathode via an extraction electrode in the RF enclosure towards the anode. Additionally an RF impedance matching and coupling circuit is connected electrically to the field emission device. The field emission device is thus directly driven with a RF signal to produce an RF modulated electron current to produce an RF modulated X-ray radiation.

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.

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.

A cooling system used in an X-ray generator having a cathode and anode that includes a target having a focal spot, wherein heat is generated in the anode and focal spot during operation of the X-ray generator. The system includes a heat transfer element attached to the anode wherein the heat transfer element includes a plurality of fin elements that transfer heat from the anode to surrounding air to cool the anode. The system also includes a liquid channel formed in the anode, wherein the liquid channel includes a cooling liquid. The liquid channel is located adjacent the target wherein heat from the focal spot is transferred to the cooling liquid to cool the focal spot wherein the heat transfer element, liquid channel and anode are unistructurally formed. Further, the cooling system includes a circulation pump that moves the cooling liquid in the liquid channel.

A cooling system used in an X-ray generator having a cathode and anode that includes a target having a focal spot, wherein heat is generated in the anode and focal spot during operation of the X-ray generator. The system includes a heat transfer element attached to the anode wherein the heat transfer element includes a plurality of fin elements that transfer heat from the anode to surrounding air to cool the anode. The system also includes a liquid channel formed in the anode, wherein the liquid channel includes a cooling liquid. The liquid channel is located adjacent the target wherein heat from the focal spot is transferred to the cooling liquid to cool the focal spot wherein the heat transfer element, liquid channel and anode are unistructurally formed. Further, the cooling system includes a circulation pump that moves the cooling liquid in the liquid channel.

A micro focus X-ray tube is provided. The micro focus X-ray tube has a bonding structure in which a ceramic and a metal without an exhaust pipe are stacked by using a nano electric field emitter of an excellent feature.

A vacuum tube insert assembly includes a flared insert piece having an annular flange and a stem each constructed of glass. The stem extends axially from the flange. The flange surrounds a perimeter edge of a plug concavity defined by the stem. Feed-through pins pass axially through the stem and are sealed thereto. The pins terminate inside of the concavity to form a plug. A socket connects to the plug within the concavity and includes receptacles that removably couple to the pins, with an engagement feature preventing erroneous plug and socket connections. A method includes axially inserting the pins through the stem at a fixed relative position such that the pins are arranged within the plug concavity, sealing the stem such that the stem is vacuum-sealed to the pins, thereby forming the plug, and removably coupling mating receptacles of the socket to the pins.