System and method for generating x-rays
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorSergio Lemaitre
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for generating X-rays comprising a waveguide having a cavity extending therethrough, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, the second sidewall having an opening extending therethrough forming or including a target therein. An electron emitter coupled to an inner surface of the first sidewall for emitting electrons into the cavity, microwaves coupled into the cavity generating an electric field for accelerating the electrons through the cavity and toward the target in the opening of the second sidewall for generating X-rays.
Claims21
An X-ray source comprising:
- a waveguide having a sidewall and a cavity extending therethrough;
- at least one electron emitter positioned on an inner surface of a first sidewall of the waveguide for generating at least one electron beam;
- and
- at least one stationary target positioned on an inner surface of a second sidewall receiving the at least one electron beam for generating X-rays.
An annular X-ray source assembly comprising:
- an annular waveguide having a cavity extending therethrough, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall;
- a plurality of electron emitters placed on an inner surface of the first sidewall for generating electrons that are accelerated through the waveguide cavity;
- and
- a plurality of stationary targets placed in a plurality of openings extending through the second sidewall.
An X-ray source comprising:
- an X-ray tube;
- an accelerator coupled to the X-ray tube for accelerating at least one electron beam toward a rotating target of the X-ray tube;
- an electron emitter coupled to one side of the accelerator emitting electrons into a cavity of the accelerator;
- and
- an opening extending through an opposite side of the accelerator for the at least one electron beam to accelerate therethrough toward the rotating target.
An X-ray source comprising:
- a waveguide having a cavity extending therethrough, a first sidewall having an opening extending therethrough, and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, the second sidewall also having an opening extending therethrough;
- an electron emitter coupled to the opening of the first sidewall for emitting electrons into the cavity;
- and
- microwaves coupled into the cavity generating an electric field for accelerating the electrons through the cavity toward a target in the opening of the second sidewall for generating X-rays.
A method for generating X-rays comprising:
- emitting at least one electron beam from at least one electron emitter positioned at a first end of a waveguide;
- accelerating the at least one electron beam through a cavity within the waveguide with a microwave generated electric field coupled within the waveguide cavity;
- and
- directing the accelerated at least one electron beam to interact with at least one target positioned at a second end of the waveguide, the second end spaced apart and opposite the first end, for generating X-rays.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.