Method and apparatus for controlling x-ray tube emissions

A source of x-ray flux which can be rapidly stabilized in response to a turn-on command, said source comprising:

• an x-ray tube having a cathode and an anode,
• an electrical power supply connected to provide controlled levels of electrical voltage and current respectively across and through said cathode and anode, and
• a control circuit connected to control said power supply so as to initially establish first levels of voltage and current with respect to said cathode and anode with said first level of controlled current being approximately equal to a desired final second level of current and never substantially in excess of the desired final second level of current and, in response to said turn-on command, to thereafter establish second levels of stabilized voltage and current with respect to said cathode and anode.

Method for rapidly achieving stabilized x-ray emissions from an x-ray tube having an anode and cathode, said method comprising the steps of:

• initially establishing a voltage across said anode and cathode which is substantially lower than an expected final operating voltage such that only relatively low energy x-rays, if any, are emitted during an initial tube preparation time period;
• initially establishing a current during said preparation time period between said anode and cathode which is approximately equal to an expected final operating current and which is never substantially in excess of the expected final operating current;
• rapidly raising said voltage across the anode and cathode to said expected final operating voltage after said initial tube preparation period thereby permitting rapid stabilization of the relatively small corresponding further required increase in x-ray tube current which, in turn, provides the useful high energy x-ray tube emissions.

A method for stabilizing x-ray flux from an x-ray tube, said method comprising the steps of:

• initially establishing a relatively low voltage operating point for said x-ray tube,
• thereafter raising the x-ray tube operating point to its desired full operating voltage level, and
• absorbing in a material barrier substantially all x-rays emitted from said x-ray tube while at said relatively low voltage operating point.

A method for stabilizing x-ray flux from an x-ray tube, said method comprising the steps of:

• initially establishing a relatively low voltage stabilized operating point for said x-ray tube with a controlled current approximately equal to the final desired full operating current level and never substantially in excess of the final desired full operating current level, and
• thereafter raising the x-ray tube stabilized operating point to its desired full operating voltage and current levels.