X-ray generator and driving method thereof

An X-ray generator comprising:

• a field electron emission type X-ray generator of which anode electrode is grounded;
• and
• a field emission current control unit configured to receive a source current to generate an output voltage to be provided to a gate electrode of the field electron emission type X-ray generator on a basis of a negative high voltage, and use the source current to control an emission current flowing through a cathode electrode of the field electron emission type X-ray generator,
• wherein the source current is a filament current of a thermal electron emission type X-ray generator.

A method for driving a field electron emission type X-ray generator of which an anode electrode is grounded, the method comprising:

• receiving a negative high voltage and a filament current from a thermal electron emission type X-ray generator;
• converting the filament current to generate an output voltage to be provided to a gate electrode of the field electron emission type X-ray generator;
• converting the filament current to generate a current controlled voltage for controlling an emission current flowing through a cathode electrode of the field electron emission type X-ray generator;
• and
• providing the output voltage to the gate electrode and applying the current controlled voltage as a gate-source voltage of a transistor configured to deliver the negative high voltage to the cathode electrode of the field electron emission type X-ray generator.