Miniature x-ray source

An x-ray source including:

• a head comprising an evacuated envelope having an outer wall and containing an anode made of a metal producing x-rays in response to the impact of electrons, a cathode including an array of cathode elements respectively producing electrons accelerated toward the anode in response to an electric field between the anode and the cathode elements, the cathode not exceeding ten centimeters in maximum dimension so that the x-ray source can be inserted into a cavity of the human body, the anode being spaced sufficiently far from the cathode for applying an accelerating voltage between the cathode and the anode without voltage break-down and producing x-rays of wavelengths suitable for diagnosis and treatment of a human, and a gate electrode for controlling the flow of electrons from the cathode to the anode;
• and
• respective electrical leads extending from the anode and the cathode and out of the envelope.