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US 12,224,150 B2Granted
Systems and methods for improving x-ray sources with switchable electron emitters
OwnerNir Eden, Amir Ben Shalom +1inventors
InventorsNir Eden, Amir Ben Shalom, Hitoshi Masuya
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Abstract
Systems and methods for improving x-ray sources with switchable electron emitters. Improved systems may use the functionality of the switchable electron emitters in various configurations to provide power regulation, multidimensional analysis, and electron beam forming so as to increase the durability and the reliability of the system. Cooling mechanisms may be used to further protect the anode from deterioration over time.
Claims11
An x-ray emission system, comprising:
- an electron anode target;
- an array of cold cathode electron sources configured to emit electrons towards said electron anode target;
- and
- a switching system for switching between the cold cathodes of the array;
- wherein the x-ray emitter device further comprises:
- at least one electron beam directing mechanism operable to direct a stream of electrons emitted by the at least one cold cathode electron source towards a desired point upon the electron anode target, wherein said electron beam shaping mechanism comprises a ring cathode configured such that an electron beam emitted by the cold cathode passes therethrough before striking the anode target;
- and
- at least one electron beam shaping mechanism for reducing the diameter of an electron beam emitted by the at least one cold cathode electron source wherein said directing mechanism comprises a variable DC power supply operable to maintain a required potential difference between a pair of electrodes thereby generating an electric field and deflecting electron beams emitted by the cold cathodes.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.