X-ray sources using linear accumulation

An x-ray source comprising:

• a vacuum chamber;
• a window transparent to x-rays attached to the wall of the vacuum chamber;
• and, within the vacuum chamber,
• at least one electron beam emitter;
• and
• an anode target comprising:
• a substrate comprising a first selected material, and
• a planar first surface, from which thickness is measured in a direction perpendicular to the first planar surface, and
• two orthogonal lateral dimensions are measured parallel to the first planar surface;
• and
• a plurality of discrete structures embedded into the first planar surface of the substrate such that each of the plurality of discrete structures is in thermal contact with the substrate,
• the plurality of discrete structures comprising a second material selected for its x-ray generation properties;
• in which at least two of the plurality of discrete structures are arranged on an axis;
• in which the axis is parallel to the first planar surface of the substrate;
• in which the axis passes through the first window;
• in which each of the discrete structures has a thickness of less than 20 microns, in which each of the plurality of discrete structures has a lateral dimension in the direction of the axis of less than 50 microns;
• and
• a means for directing an electron beam emitted by the at least one electron beam emitter onto the at least two arranged discrete structures such that x-rays are generated from each of the at least two arranged discrete structures;
• in which at least a portion of the generated x-rays propagating on the axis from each of the two arranged discrete structures is transmitted through the window.