X-ray sources having reduced electron scattering
AssigneeRapiscan Systems, Inc.
InventorEdward James Morton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This specification describes an anode for an X-ray tube with multiple channels, where each channel defines an electron aperture through which electrons from a source pass to strike a target and a collimating aperture through which X-rays produced at the target pass out of the anode as a collimated beam. At least a portion of the walls of each channel are lined with an electron absorbing material for absorbing any electrons straying from a predefined trajectory. The electron absorbing material has a low atomic number, high melting point and is stable in vacuum. Graphite may be used as the electron absorbing material.
Claims17
An anode for an X-ray tube having at least two channels, the anode comprising:
- a first channel extending through the anode, wherein the first channel comprises:
- a first target defined by a first plane;
- a first electron aperture, comprising a first material, through which electrons from a first source of electrons pass to strike said first target, wherein said first electron aperture comprises side walls, each of said side walls having a surface, and a central axis and wherein each of the side walls face each other and define a first pathway through which the electrons travel;
- and
- a first collimating aperture through which X-rays produced at the first target pass out of the anode as a first collimated beam, wherein said first collimating aperture comprises side walls, each of said side walls having a surface, and a central axis;
- a second channel extending through the anode, wherein the second channel comprises:
- a second target defined by a second plane;
- a second electron aperture through which electrons from a second source of electrons pass to strike the second target, wherein the second electron aperture comprises side walls, each of said side walls having a surface, and a central axis and wherein each of the side walls face each other and define a second pathway through which the electrons travel;
- and
- a second collimating aperture through which X-rays produced at the second target pass out of the anode as a second collimated beam, wherein the second collimating aperture comprises side walls, each of said side walls having a surface, and a central axis, wherein the first electron aperture is separate from the second electron aperture and the first collimating aperture is separate from the second collimating aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.