A multi-target radiation source device

Abstract

This application relates to a multi-target X-ray source device, comprising a tube body containing a vacuum multi-target cavity. An X-ray emission window is provided on the tube body. A cathode assembly and an anode assembly are disposed opposite to each other within the vacuum multi-target cavity. The cathode assembly includes a filament electrically connected to the negative terminal of a power supply. The filament is positioned near the X-ray emission window and is used to generate electrons. The anode assembly includes a rotating target disk. Multiple targets are circumferentially distributed on the rotating target disk near the cathode assembly. Each target has an inclined target surface, which is electrically connected to the positive terminal of the power supply. The rotating target disk is connected to a power drive device to rotate the target disk until the inclined target surface faces the X-ray emission window and the filament. This application allows for target replacement within a single optical tube.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of X-ray tubes, and more particularly to a multi-target X-ray source device. Background Technology

[0002] X-ray tube principle: After a heating power supply is installed on the cathode filament, active electrons are generated. Then, a pressure difference is applied between the anode and cathode, which attracts electrons to collide with the anode at high speed and cause energy conversion. When the electrons are hindered, they lose kinetic energy. Most of the energy (about 99%) is converted into heat energy, which raises the temperature of the object. Only a small part (about 1%) of the energy is converted into effective X-rays.

[0003] In a typical X-ray tube, one cathode corresponds to one anode target. If a different target is needed, a different target tube must be used, which cannot be achieved within the same tube. Changing tubes reduces work efficiency and increases costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to improve work efficiency by enabling target replacement within a single optical tube, this application provides a multi-target X-ray source device.

[0005] The multi-target radiation source device provided in this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A multi-target X-ray source device includes a tube body containing a vacuum multi-target cavity. An X-ray emission window is provided on the tube body. A cathode assembly and an anode assembly are disposed opposite to each other within the vacuum multi-target cavity. The cathode assembly includes a filament electrically connected to the negative terminal of a power supply. The filament is positioned near the X-ray emission window and is used to generate electrons. The anode assembly includes a rotating target disk. Multiple targets are circumferentially distributed on the rotating target disk near the cathode assembly. Each target has an inclined target surface, which is electrically connected to the positive terminal of a power supply. The rotating target disk is connected to a power drive device to rotate the rotating target disk until the inclined target surface faces the X-ray emission window and the filament.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, electrons generated by the cathode collide with the target surface at high speed under the action of high voltage difference, thereby generating X-rays, which are reflected from the tilted target surface and emitted from the X-ray emission window. When different target surfaces are required, the rotating target disk is driven by a power drive device, thereby rotating the required target to the filament. Thus, it is possible to replace multiple target materials in one light tube, which is beneficial to improving work efficiency.

[0008] Preferably, the target bodies are evenly distributed around the circumference of the rotating target disk.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the target bodies distributed at equal intervals around the circumference are conducive to convenient control of the rotation angle of the power drive mechanism.

[0010] Preferably, the power drive device includes a motor, and the power output shaft of the motor is coaxially and fixedly connected to the rotating target disk.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the rotation of the target disk is driven by a motor, which facilitates control by control equipment.

[0012] Preferably, the target material is one of W, Mn, Au, Rh, Si, ZrO2, Ag, CaF2, Ti, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, or Ge.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solutions, a variety of target materials can be selected to achieve different rays, thereby meeting different application requirements.

[0014] Preferably, the tube body is provided with an observation window.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the observation window facilitates the observation of the internal target of the multi-target X-ray source device.

[0016] Preferably, the rotating target disk is provided with scale lines.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the scale lines are helpful for observing whether the rotating target disk has rotated to the correct position, so as to ensure that X-rays can be accurately emitted from the X-ray emission window.

[0018] Preferably, a partition is provided between the targets.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the partition helps to reduce the mutual influence between adjacent targets.

[0020] Preferably, a stepping assembly is provided between the rotating target disk and the vacuum multi-target cavity. The stepping assembly includes a first magnet disposed on the side of the rotating target disk away from the cathode assembly, and a second magnet disposed on the inner wall of the vacuum multi-target cavity at a position corresponding to the first magnet. The first magnet is used to attract the second magnet. If there are multiple first magnets or second magnets, the multiple first magnets or second magnets are distributed circumferentially at equal intervals on the rotating target disk, and the number of first magnets or second magnets is an integer multiple of the target body.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the first magnet and the second magnet are set on the side of the rotating target disk away from the cathode assembly, so that the electrons are not easily affected by the magnetic field of the magnet; and by utilizing the mutual attraction of magnets, it is beneficial to improve the accuracy of the rotation of the rotating target disk and realize step rotation.

[0022] Preferably, a gap is provided between the first magnet and the second magnet.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, the existence of gaps allows the first and second magnets, which are not in contact, to be separated, and the two magnets can attract each other when they are about to approach each other, thus achieving magnetic positioning.

[0024] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0025] 1. Multi-target X-ray source, enabling the replacement of multiple target materials within a single tube; rotation aligns the target with the cathode, thus allowing the emission of X-rays with different target material characteristics; no tube replacement is required.

[0026] 2. The target body with equal circumferential spacing is controlled by a motor to rotate, which facilitates rotation control with a set rotation angle;

[0027] 3. It features an observation window and scale lines to facilitate observation of the rotation of the rotating target disk. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an embodiment of this application.

[0030] Reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Tube body; 2. Vacuum multi-target cavity; 3. X-ray emission window; 4. Filament; 5. Rotating target disk; 6. Target body; 7. Target surface; 8. Observation window; 9. Scale line; 10. First magnet; 11. Second magnet; 12. Partition plate; 13. Motor. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-2 This application will be described in further detail.

[0032] In related technologies, an X-ray tube is a vacuum diode operating at high voltage. It contains two electrodes: a filament for emitting electrons, serving as the cathode, and a target for receiving electron bombardment, serving as the anode. Both electrodes are sealed within a high-vacuum glass or ceramic casing. It is a vacuum electronic device that generates X-rays by using high-speed electrons to bombard a metal target. Based on the method of electron generation, X-ray tubes can be divided into gas-filled tubes and vacuum tubes; this embodiment uses a vacuum tube as an example. In 1913, W.D. Culligi invented the vacuum X-ray tube. The vacuum level inside the tube is not less than 10⁻⁴ Pa. The cathode is a directly heated spiral tungsten filament, and the anode is a metal target embedded in the end face of a copper block. The target material and electron beam energy are selected according to the tube's application; tungsten is commonly used as the target material. In some applications, materials such as silver, palladium, rhodium, molybdenum, copper, nickel, cobalt, iron, and chromium are also used. The cathode operates at approximately 2000 K, and the emitted electrons are accelerated by tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of volts before striking the target surface. The cathode is surrounded by a metal cover with a groove at the front end. The potential of the metal shield is equal to or lower than that of the cathode, forcing electrons to focus on a narrow area on the target surface, forming a focal spot. X-rays then radiate from the focal spot in all directions and exit through windows in the tube wall. These windows are typically made of beryllium, aluminum, or lightweight glass, which have very low X-ray absorption, with beryllium being the best choice. This embodiment uses a ceramic tube as an example.

[0033] This application discloses a multi-target radiation source device. (Refer to...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 A multi-target X-ray source device includes a cylindrical tube 1, with a vacuum multi-target cavity 2 inside the tube 1; a cathode assembly and an anode assembly are provided at opposite ends of the vacuum multi-target cavity 2, and an X-ray emission window 3 is provided on the side wall of the tube 1.

[0034] The X-ray emission window 3 is cylindrical in shape, and its axis is perpendicular to the axis of the tube body 1. The cathode assembly includes a filament 4, which is electrically connected to the negative terminal of the power supply. The cathode assembly is made of ceramic insulating material. To save space, the cathode assembly is cylindrical and protrudes from the end of the tube body 1. The filament 4 is eccentrically positioned at one end of the tube body 1, close to the X-ray emission window 3. The anode assembly includes a rotating target disk 5 and a power drive device for rotating the rotating target disk 5. Multiple targets 6 are provided on the side of the rotating target disk 5 near the cathode assembly. Each target 6 has an inclined target surface 7 facing the filament 4. The power drive device drives the rotating target disk 5 to rotate, thereby driving the target 6 to rotate. When the inclined target surface 7 rotates to the X-ray emission window 3, it can tilt towards the X-ray emission window 3. The direction of electron impact generated by the heated filament 4 of the cathode assembly is directly opposite the X-ray focal point of the target surface 7, so that X-rays can be emitted from the X-ray emission window 3 at a set emission angle α. In this process, electrons emitted from the cathode are focused onto a single point on the target, known as the X-ray focus.

[0035] In this embodiment, the target 6 is cylindrical in shape and is vertically distributed on the rotating target disk 5. Multiple targets 6 are evenly spaced on the rotating target disk 5. There are 14 targets 6, each corresponding to a different target material. The target surface 7 materials are W, Mn, Au, Rh, Si, ZrO2, Ag, CaF2, Ti, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Ge. Different target materials can emit rays of different wavelength bands, thereby meeting different application requirements.

[0036] To facilitate observation of the rotation of the rotating target disk 5 and ensure successful replacement of the target surface 7, an observation window 8 is provided on the tube body 1. The observation window 8 is cylindrical in shape and is positioned perpendicular to the side wall of the tube body 1. In this embodiment, two observation windows 8 are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the X-ray emission window 3 to facilitate observation of the rotation of the rotating target disk 5 from both sides.

[0037] The rotating target disk 5 is provided with a scale line 9, which is located on the side of the disk circumference of the rotating target disk 5. An indicator line can also be provided on the inner wall of the tube body 1 or the observation window 8 to facilitate observation of the rotation angle of the rotating target disk 5 relative to the indicator line, thereby determining whether the rotating target disk 5 has rotated to the correct position, so as to ensure that X-rays can be accurately emitted from the X-ray emission window 3.

[0038] To further optimize the accuracy of the rotation angle of the rotating target disk 5, a stepping component is provided on the side of the rotating target disk 5 away from the cathode assembly. The stepping component includes a first magnet 10 and a second magnet 11. The number of first magnets 10 is the same as the number of targets 6, and the multiple first magnets 10 are evenly distributed on the rotating target disk 5. The inner wall of the vacuum multi-target cavity 2 is provided with second magnets 11 corresponding to the positions of the first magnets 10, and the multiple second magnets 11 are arranged one-to-one with the positions of the first magnets 10. The first magnets 10 and second magnets 11 attract each other, and a gap is reserved between the first magnets 10 and second magnets 11 to avoid affecting their separation and rotation. The first magnets 10 and second magnets 11 are located on the side of the rotating target disk 5 away from the cathode assembly, so as not to interfere with the movement of electrons. During rotation, the first magnets 10 and second magnets 11 attract each other, thereby achieving magnetic attraction stepping positioning with gaps. In addition, there can be only one first magnet 10 and multiple second magnets 11, reducing the use of magnetic materials and thus reducing the interference of the magnetic field on electrons.

[0039] To reduce mutual interference between adjacent targets 6, a partition 12 is provided between the targets 6. The partition 12 is a rectangular plate located on the radius of the rotating target disk 5 and is vertically fixed on the rotating target disk 5. The partition 12 is higher than the height of the target 6 relative to the rotating target disk 5.

[0040] The power drive device includes a motor 13, whose power output shaft is coaxially and fixedly connected to the rotating target disk 5. The motor 13 can be electrically connected to an external control device, thereby facilitating the external control device to control the rotation angle and achieve accurate angular rotation of the rotating target disk 5.

[0041] The technical parameters in this embodiment are as follows:

[0042] Anode voltage: 1-30kV;

[0043] Anode current: 0-2mA;

[0044] Maximum power: 60W;

[0045] Focal size: 100μm;

[0046] X-ray radiation angle: 20°;

[0047] The materials of the 14 target materials are as follows: W, Mn, Au, Rh, Si, ZrO2, Ag, CaF2, Ti, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Ge;

[0048] Cooling method: Natural air cooling;

[0049] Surface temperature: below 55℃;

[0050] Grounding method: Cathode connected to high voltage, negative high voltage.

[0051] The implementation principle of the multi-target X-ray source device in this application is as follows: The multi-target X-ray source offers good stability and can emit X-rays normally. It allows one X-ray tube to correspond to 14 different target materials. The target materials are rotated to align with the cathode, emitting X-rays with different target material characteristics. During X-ray tube operation, the anode target material is bombarded by high temperatures, which can lead to damage over time, affecting X-ray performance. This also allows for target material replacement within the X-ray tube. The X-ray tube requires the cathode and anode to be aligned. The multi-target product can be rotated and aligned using a scale to ensure X-ray emission performance. The X-ray tube uses negative high voltage, with the cathode connected to high voltage, and the product uses ceramic insulation. It can be mainly applied in fields such as elemental analysis and imaging.

[0052] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A multi-target x-ray source apparatus, characterized by: The utility model relates to a kind of X-ray generating device, including pipe body (1), vacuum multi-target cavity (2) is provided in the pipe body (1), X-ray emitting window (3) is provided on the pipe body (1), cathode assembly and anode assembly are provided in the vacuum multi-target cavity (2), the cathode assembly includes electrically connected to the filament (4) of power supply negative pole;The filament (4) is close to the X-ray emitting window (3) and is arranged for generating electron;The anode assembly includes rotating target disc (5), and the rotating target disc (5) is provided with multiple target body (6) on the side close to the cathode assembly on the rotating target disc (5) and is circumferentially distributed on the rotating target disc (5), and the target body (6) is provided with inclined target face (7), and the target face (7) is electrically connected to the positive pole of power supply, and the rotating target disc (5) is connected with power driving device, to drive the rotating target disc (5) rotation to inclined target face (7) towards X-ray emitting window (3) and filament (4); Partition (12) is provided between the target body (6), and the partition (12) is rectangular plate, and the partition (12) is located on the radius of rotating target disc (5) and is vertically fixedly installed on rotating target disc (5), and the partition (12) is higher than the height of target body (6) relative to rotating target disc (5).

2. A multi-target x-ray source device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The target body (6) is circumferentially equidistantly distributed on the rotating target disc (5).

3. A multi-target x-ray source device according to claim 1, wherein: The power driving device includes motor (13), and the power output shaft of the motor (13) is coaxially fixedly connected with the rotating target disc (5).

4. The multi-target x-ray source of claim 1, wherein: The target face (7) is made of one of W, Mn, Au, Rh, Si, ZrO2, Ag, CaF2, Ti, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn or Ge.

5. The multi-target x-ray source of claim 1, wherein: The pipe body (1) is provided with an observation window (8).

6. A multi-target x-ray source device according to claim 5, wherein: The rotating target disc (5) is provided with a scale line (9).

7. A multi-target x-ray source device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: The rotating target disc (5) and the vacuum multi-target cavity (2) are provided with a stepping assembly, the stepping assembly includes a first magnet (10) arranged on a side of the rotating target disc (5) away from the cathode assembly, and a second magnet (11) arranged on an inner wall of the vacuum multi-target cavity (2) corresponding to a position of the first magnet (10), the first magnet (10) is used to attract the second magnet (11);If the first magnet (10) or the second magnet (11) is provided with multiple, multiple first magnets (10) or second magnets (11) are circumferentially equidistantly distributed on the rotating target disc (5), and the number of the first magnet (10) or the second magnet (11) is an integer multiple of the target body (6).

8. A multi-target x-ray source device according to claim 7, wherein: A gap is provided between the first magnet (10) and the second magnet (11).

Images