Method and device for producing and using multiple origins of x-radiation

An x-ray tube device, comprising:

• a vacuum envelope, an anode, and an array of electron emitters, wherein the electron emitters operate continuously, wherein said x-ray tube device produces spatially distributed x-ray origins configured to generate x-ray beams at different illuminating angles relative to an interferometer, where said anode is a rotating cylinder comprised of a first region that generates x-rays when impinged upon by electrons, wherein the first region is arrayed in a discrete pattern of stepped spatial frequencies, and where the anode has a second region that does not generate detectable x-rays, wherein said discrete pattern is arranged parallel to said axis of target rotation such that oscillatory translation of the anode alternately aligns each of the continuous electron emissions with the first region or the second region, wherein individual x-ray origins pulse on-and-off at different frequencies, wherein the duty cycles of said pulsing for each of said individual x-ray origins partially overlap.

An x-ray tube device, comprising:

• a vacuum envelope, an anode, and an array of electron emitters, wherein the electron emitters operate continuously wherein said x-ray tube device produces spatially distributed x-ray origins configured to generate x-ray beams at different illuminating angles relative to an interferometer, where said anode is comprised of a first region that generates x-rays when impinged upon by electrons, wherein the first region is arrayed in a discrete pattern of stepped spatial frequencies, and where the anode has a second region that does not generate detectable x-rays, wherein that oscillatory sweeping of the electron beams alternately aligns each of the continuous electron emissions with the first region or the second region, wherein individual x-ray origins pulse on-and-off at different frequencies, wherein the duty cycles of said pulsing for each of said individual x-ray origins partially overlap.