X-ray tube and associated manufacturing process

Abstract

An X-ray tube includes a vacuum-sealed tube housing evacuated to a pressure of 10−7 mbar or lower, a cathode assembly inside the housing including an electron emitter adapted to emit electrons when heated at a temperature included in a defined working temperature range and at least one component containing carbon in an amount of at least 20% by weight, especially at least 30% by weight, even more especially at least 50% by weight, the at least one component being preferably designed for holding the emitter, and an anode assembly inside the housing including a target layer for receiving electrons emitted by the electron emitter, wherein the electron emitter preferably includes boride, preferably lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6), and wherein the cathode assembly is designed such that if the emitter temperature is included in the working temperature range.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.