The X-ray emitting unit (100) comprises a box-shaped container (110) with a chamber inside it, and an X-ray tube located in the chamber; the box-shaped container (110) is provided with an opening (111) for X-rays and a plurality of openings for cooling and electrically insulating liquid; having: a first main opening (112A) for the inlet of cooling and electrically insulating liquid, a second main opening for the outlet of cooling and electrically insulating liquid; furthermore, the box-shaped container (110) has: at least one secondary opening (114A) of the first type for cooling and electrically insulating liquid and/or at least one secondary opening (116A, 116B) of the second type for cooling and electrically insulating liquid.

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.

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.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method that includes colliding a laser with an electron beam to produce backscattered x-rays while the electron beam is traversing a circular arc. This backscattering process is inverse Compton scattering (ICS). ICS x-rays are emitted in the same direction as the electrons. Because this ICS direction is changing as a function of time, the position of the x-ray beam on a detector will change depending on the timing of electron/laser collision. This position change is easily detected and converted to a timing measurement sensitive at the femtosecond scale, converting a very difficult timing measurement of laser pulse, electron pulse, and x-ray pulse synchronization into a simple and robust position measurement.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method that includes colliding a laser with an electron beam to produce backscattered x-rays while the electron beam is traversing a circular arc. This backscattering process is inverse Compton scattering (ICS). ICS x-rays are emitted in the same direction as the electrons. Because this ICS direction is changing as a function of time, the position of the x-ray beam on a detector will change depending on the timing of electron/laser collision. This position change is easily detected and converted to a timing measurement sensitive at the femtosecond scale, converting a very difficult timing measurement of laser pulse, electron pulse, and x-ray pulse synchronization into a simple and robust position measurement.

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.

An x-ray emitter includes an x-ray tube and an x-ray emitter housing. In an embodiment, the x-ray tube includes an evacuated x-ray tube housing, a cathode for emitting electrons and an anode for generating x-rays as a function of the electrons. Further, in an embodiment, the x-ray emitter housing includes the x-ray tube and outside of the x-ray tube, a gaseous cooling medium. In an embodiment, the x-ray emitter further includes a compressor for a forced convection of the gaseous cooling medium for cooling the x-ray tube, a pressure ratio between the intake side and pressure side of the compressor being greater than 1.3.

An x-ray generating unit includes an x-ray tube that is substantially transparent to x-rays. A cathode is within the x-ray tube and defines a plurality of spaced apart cavities. An anode includes a material that emits x-rays when impacted by electrons. A plurality of filaments is each disposed in a different one of the cavities. Each of the filaments is electrically coupled to each other and to an activating voltage source in parallel. Each of the filaments emits a focused electron beam directed to a different predetermined spot on the anode upon application of a predetermined voltage between the cathode and the anode, thereby causing the anode to generate x-rays. Each of the plurality of spaced apart cavities is aimed at the anode so that each predetermined spot on the anode is separated from each other spot by a gap that is not impacted by an electron beam.

An x-ray tube having at least one focusing cup and an anode. The x-ray tube may have a first filament positioned in a first location between the focusing cup and the anode, the first filament having a first size, and a second filament positioned in a second location between the focusing cup and anode, the second filament having a second size that is substantially the same as the first size. The x-ray tube may also include a switching mechanism configured to engage the second filament upon failure of the first filament.

An x-ray tube having at least one focusing cup and an anode. The x-ray tube may have a first filament positioned in a first location between the focusing cup and the anode, the first filament having a first size, and a second filament positioned in a second location between the focusing cup and anode, the second filament having a second size that is substantially the same as the first size. The x-ray tube may also include a switching mechanism configured to engage the second filament upon failure of the first filament.