X-ray source, high-voltage generator, electron beam gun, rotary target assembly, rotary target, and rotary vacuum seal

Abstract

Disclosed herein are a high-voltage generator (120) for an x-ray source, an x-ray gun, an electron beam apparatus, a rotary vacuum seal, a target assembly for an x-ray source, a rotary x-ray emission target (500), and an x-ray source. These various aspects may separately and / or together enable the construction of an x-ray source which can operate at energies of up to 500 kV and beyond, which is suitable for use in commercial and research x-ray applications such as computerised tomography. In particular, the high-voltage generator includes a shield electrode (123a, 123b) electrically connected intermediate of a first voltage multiplier (122a, 122b) and a second voltage multiplier (122b, 122c). The electron beam apparatus includes control photodetectors (202a, 202b - not shown) and photo emitters (201a, 202a) having a transparent conductive shield (203a and 203b, 203c - not shown) arranged therebetween. The rotary vacuum seal includes a pumpable chamber (302) at a position intermediate between high-pressure and low- pressure ends of a bore (301) for a rotating shaft (401). The rotary target assembly is configured such that when a torque between a bearing housing (403) and a vacuum housing exceeds a predetermined torque, the bearing housing rotates relative to the vacuum housing. The rotary x-ray emission target (500) has a plurality of target plates (560) supported on a hub, the plates being arranged on the hub to provide an annular target region about an axis rotation of the hub. The x- ray gun is provided with a shield electrode (123a) maintained at a potential difference relative to the x-ray target different to the electron beam emission cathode.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an x-ray source, and more particularly to a high voltage generator, an electron beam gun, a rotating target assembly, a rotating target and a rotating vacuum seal therefor. Background technique [0002] X-ray imaging is an invaluable tool for research, industrial and medical applications. By illuminating a target object with x-ray radiation and by detecting the x-rays transmitted through the object, an image of the internal structure of the object can be obtained. [0003] The image allows identifying those parts of the object which attenuate the passage of x-rays relatively more and those parts which attenuate the passage of x-rays relatively less. In general, denser materials and those containing a high proportion of high atomic number atoms or ions tend to block the passage of x-rays to a relatively greater extent. In addition, the greater the total path length traveled by x-rays in the target object, the greater t...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, practically no suitably high-energy x-ray sources have been produced commercially

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