Generation of multiple x-ray energies

Abstract

The present invention relates to the generation of multiple X-ray energies in an X-ray tube. In order to provide an X-ray tube capable of generating multiple-energy X-ray radiation with a minimized design setup and an improved switching capacity, a multiple-energy X-ray tube (10) comprises a cathode (12), an anode (14) and an electron-braking device (16). The anode comprises a target surface (18) provided for generating X-rays as a result of impinging electrons. The cathode is provided for emitting electrons (20, 144, 148, 150) towards the anode to impinge on the target surface of the anode. The electron-braking device is intermittently arrangeable in a pathway (22, 144, 148, 150) of the electrons from the cathode to the anode and configured to slow at least a part of the electrons of the electron beam such that the energy of re-emitted electrons is lower than the energy of arriving electrons.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.