Electron-beam spot optimization
AssigneeMoxtek, Inc.
InventorsDustin Peterson, Richard Zimmerman, Vince Jones, Eric Miller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Electron beam spot characteristics can be tuned in each x-ray tube by moving a focusing-ring along a longitudinal-axis of the x-ray tube. The focusing-ring can then be immovably fastened to the x-ray tube. An x-ray source can include an x-ray tube and a focusing-ring. The focusing-ring can at least partially encircle an electron-emitter, a cathode, an evacuated-enclosure, or combinations thereof. The focusing-ring can be located outside of a vacuum of the evacuated enclosure. The focusing-ring can adjust an electron-beam spot on a target material of the x-ray tube when moved along a longitudinal-axis extending linearly from the electron-emitter to the target material.
Claims20
A method of tuning an electron-beam spot on a target material in an x-ray tube, the method comprising the following steps performed in the following order:
- a) energizing the x-ray tube to cause:
- i) electrical current to flow through a filament, causing emission of electrons from the filament to the target material;
- ii) creation of the electron-beam spot where the electrons impinge on the target material;
- and
- iii) emission of x-rays from the target material;
- b) evaluating the electron-beam spot with respect to a predetermined characteristic by receiving the x-rays into a detector, determining an actual characteristic of the electron-beam spot, comparing the actual characteristic to the predetermined characteristic;
- c) moving a focusing-ring along a longitudinal-axis of the x-ray tube to tune the electron-beam spot to the predetermined characteristic, the longitudinal-axis extending from the filament inside the x-ray tube to the target material;
- and
- d) immovably fastening the focusing-ring with respect to the filament.
An x-ray source comprising:
- a) an x-ray tube including:
- i) an anode that is electrically-conductive and that includes a target material configured for production and emission of x-rays in response to impinging electrons;
- ii) a cathode that is electrically-conductive and that includes a filament capable of emitting electrons towards the target material;
- iii) an evacuated-enclosure attached to the cathode and the anode and that electrically-insulates the cathode from the anode;
- b) a focusing-ring:
- i) encircling the filament;
- ii) including a relative-motion means for controlling motion of the focusing-ring with respect to the filament;
- iii) located outside of a vacuum of the evacuated enclosure;
- iv) capable of adjusting an electron-beam spot on the target material when moved along a longitudinal-axis extending linearly from the filament to the target material;
- and
- v) fastened immovably onto the x-ray tube.
An x-ray source comprising:
- a) an x-ray tube including:
- i) an anode that is electrically-conductive and that includes a target material configured for production and emission of x-rays in response to impinging electrons;
- ii) a cathode that is electrically-conductive and that includes a filament capable of emitting electrons towards the target material;
- iii) an evacuated-enclosure attached to, and that electrically-insulates, the cathode from the anode;
- b) a focusing-ring:
- i) at least partially encircling the filament, the cathode, the evacuated-enclosure, or combinations thereof;
- ii) being electrically-conductive;
- iii) located outside of a vacuum of the evacuated enclosure;
- iv) capable of adjusting an electron-beam spot on the target material if moved along a longitudinal-axis extending linearly from the filament to the target material;
- and
- v) fastened immovably onto the x-ray tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.