METAL JET X-RAY TUBE

Abstract

The invention relates to a metal jet x-ray tube which is less affected by the problem of the power density at the point of impact of the electron beam on the anode component than conventional tubes. For this purpose the metal jet x-ray tube has a metal jet (6) as anode component (7), which metal jet is so thin that an electron beam (4) impinging on the metal jet (6) is only partially decelerated by the metal jet. Furthermore a blade cathode is provided as a cathode component (3), which blade cathode comprises a cathode blade (10) directed with a slight inclination downwards in the direction of the liquid metal jet (6) of the anode component (7).

Claims

1. A metal jet x-ray tube comprising: a vacuum chamber; a cathode component in the vacuum chamber for extracting an electron beam, wherein the cathode component comprises a blade cathode, the blade cathode comprising a cathode blade directed with an inclination downward in a direction of a liquid metal jet; an extractor configured for extraction of the electron beam by the cathode component; an anode component formed by the liquid metal jet as a target for the electron beam of the cathode component, wherein electrons of the electron beam incident on the liquid metal jet are only partly decelerated; and an accelerator configured to accelerate the electron beam extracted by the cathode component within a vacuum path in a direction targeting the anode component.

2. The metal jet x-ray tube of in claim 1, wherein a further vacuum path is provided downstream of the anode component for the electrons of the electron beam that have not yet been completely decelerated, wherein in the further vacuum path, the electrons are decelerated to a standstill.

3. The metal jet x-ray tube of claim 2, wherein the deceleration of the electrons to the standstill is linked to an energy recuperation provision.

4. The metal jet x-ray tube of claim 1, wherein the metal jet of the anode component is embedded, dissolved, or embedded and dissolved in a single second material that passes electrons and is heat absorbing.

5. The metal jet x-ray tube of claim 2, wherein the metal jet of the anode component is embedded, dissolved, or embedded and dissolved in a single second material that passes electrons and is heat absorbing.

6. The metal jet x-ray tube of claim 3, wherein the metal jet of the anode component is embedded, dissolved, or embedded and dissolved in a single second material that passes electrons and is heat absorbing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a metal jet x-ray tube according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] FIG. 1 depicts a metal jet x-ray tube 1 including a vacuum chamber 2. A cathode component 3 is arranged in the vacuum chamber 2. The cathode component 3 serves to extract an electron beam 4. An extractor 5 for extracting the extraction of the electron beam 4 from the cathode component 3 is provided in the vacuum chamber 2. Also in the vacuum chamber 2 is an anode component 7 formed by a liquid metal jet 6. The liquid metal jet 6 is the target for the emitted electron beam 4 of the cathode component 3. An accelerator 8 is configured for accelerating the electron beam 4 emitted by the cathode component 3 in the direction and with the target of the anode component 7, at least within a vacuum path 9.

[0019] The metal jet 6 is configured as a thin metal jet. The electrons of the electron beam 4 are only partly decelerated by the metal jet 6. The cathode component 3 has a cathode blade 10 such that the cathode component 3 may also be referred to as a blade cathode. The cathode blade 10 is directed with a slight inclination downward in the direction of the liquid metal jet 6 of the anode component 7.

[0020] There is a further vacuum path 11 downstream of the anode component 7 for the electrons of the electron beam 4 that have not yet been decelerated completely. The vacuum path 11 serves to decelerate the only partly decelerated electrons downstream of the anode component 7 to a standstill. In an embodiment, the system also includes an energy recuperation provision 12.

[0021] While not depicted, the metal jet 6 of the anode component 7 is at least embedded or dissolved in a single second material 13 that passes electrons well and is heat absorbing.

[0022] In an embodiment, a blade cathode that is slightly inclined in relation to possibly present magnetic field lines is used. Additionally, in an embodiment according to FIG. 1, an alloy or a mixture made of at least two components as an x-ray beam producing anode material is used. Further, an energy recuperation provision 12 that captures the electron beam emerging from the metal jet 6 of the anode component 7 using an electrostatic collector is used. For example, as material 13 for the metal jet 6 of the anode component 7, a chemical element with an atomic number of 30 to 92 (e.g., barium, lanthanum, cerium, bismuth, tungsten etc.), and at least one heat-absorbing component that is relatively transparent to electrons and x-rays (e.g., a chemical element with an atomic number <20 such as lithium) are used.

[0023] The metal jet 6 is, for example, injected into the electron beam 4 by an injector such that bremsstrahlung and characteristic radiation are produced in the interaction zone 14. The transmitted and scattered electrons are decelerated in an electrostatic collector by way of a counteracting E-field with recuperation of energy and caught at a low velocity.

[0024] Easily melting metal alloys tend to have a high vapor pressure in the case of elevated temperatures, which promotes the deposition of conductive surface layers (e.g., on insulators). The metal jet 6 is guided through the discharge chamber for only a minimum length required for the interaction with the electron beam 4 and thereafter let to enter a wall-cooled condensation and collection container.

[0025] It is to be understood that the elements and features recited in the appended claims may be combined in different ways to produce new claims that likewise fall within the scope of the present invention. Thus, whereas the dependent claims appended below depend from only a single independent or dependent claim, it is to be understood that these dependent claims may, alternatively, be made to depend in the alternative from any preceding or following claim, whether independent or dependent, and that such new combinations are to be understood as forming a part of the present specification.

[0026] While the present invention has been described above by reference to various embodiments, it may be understood that many changes and modifications may be made to the described embodiments. It is therefore intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that all equivalents and/or combinations of embodiments are intended to be included in this description.