Multi-level ray generator and radiation imaging equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a multi-energy-level ray generator, which comprises a microwave power source for providing a first power microwave output and a second power microwave output when a component is configured; a first transmission target; and a second reflection target. The first power microwave output is used to accelerate the electron beam, the accelerated first electron beam bombards and transmits the first transmission target to produce a first ray, and the second power microwave output is used to accelerate the electron beam, the accelerated second electron beam bombards the second reflection target to produce a second ray. A radiation imaging apparatus is also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of radiation imaging, and more specifically to a multi-level ray generator and a radiation imaging device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, X-ray sources are widely used in radiation imaging, such as in security checks at airports, ports, and subways, as well as in industrial non-destructive testing.

[0003] For example, in some situations, it is necessary to inspect a variety of objects (of different sizes and masses), which requires scanning with different energies, such as high-energy scanning and low-energy scanning. Multi-energy X-ray sources have further provided inspection equipment with more powerful resolution and have therefore received more attention.

[0004] Current solutions offer two separate X-ray sources; however, this results in a large footprint, complex structure, low integration, difficulty in switching X-ray sources during use, and significantly increased control complexity. Furthermore, the imaging effects (differences) caused by the physical distance between the sources cannot be ignored, making image fusion difficult. Additionally, the high energy consumption of two X-ray sources leads to a sharp increase in cost.

[0005] Furthermore, traditional multi-energy X-ray devices employ a single radiation source, such as a single accelerating tube, which switches energy modes in a time-division manner, for example, switching between 9 / 6 MeV, 7 / 4 MeV, and 6 / 3 MeV energy modes. These devices are primarily used for scanning cargo in vehicle-mounted containers. Because these devices cannot provide both high-energy X-rays (MeV level) and low-energy X-rays (sub-MeV level), their resolution capability for materials with similar atomic numbers is insufficient.

[0006] The goal is to provide radiation sources with improved performance and greater energy level differences, as well as related radiation imaging equipment with stronger resolution. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the problems in the prior art, including but not limited to the example problems described above, the present invention provides a new technical solution for a multi-level ray generator for radiation imaging, thereby achieving a multi-level ray generator and radiation imaging device with improved performance.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a multi-level ray generator is provided, comprising:

[0009] A microwave power source, when configured, provides a first power microwave output and a second power microwave output;

[0010] First transmission target; and

[0011] Second reflective target,

[0012] The first power microwave output is used to accelerate an electron beam, which bombards and penetrates a first transmission target to generate a first ray. The second power microwave output is used to accelerate an electron beam, which bombards a second reflection target to generate a second ray.

[0013] In one embodiment, the multi-level ray generator further includes a first accelerating tube and a second accelerating tube.

[0014] The first power microwave output is fed into a first accelerating tube to accelerate a first electron beam, which bombards and transmits through a first transmission target to generate a first ray; and

[0015] The second power microwave output is fed into the second accelerating tube to accelerate the second electron beam, which then bombards the second reflective target to generate a second ray.

[0016] In one embodiment, the target surface of the first transmission target is arranged perpendicular to the accelerated first electron beam, and the target surface of the second reflection target is arranged at an acute angle to the accelerated second electron beam.

[0017] In one embodiment, the multi-level ray generator further includes a collimator, wherein a first ray generated by a first transmission target and a second ray generated by a second reflection target are collimated in a time-division manner by the collimator.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first transmission target and the second reflection target are arranged at the entrance of the collimator with offset and non-overlapping angles to each other.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first accelerating tube is arranged along a first direction, and the second accelerating tube is arranged along a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0020] In one embodiment, the multi-level ray generator further includes a first waveguide assembly and a second waveguide assembly, wherein the first waveguide assembly guides a first power microwave output to a first accelerating tube, and the second waveguide assembly guides a second power microwave to a second accelerating tube.

[0021] In one embodiment, the multi-level ray generator further includes a distributor configured to couple to a microwave power source and provide a first power microwave output and a second power microwave output based on the microwaves output by the microwave power source.

[0022] In one embodiment, the multi-level ray generator further includes a flexible soft waveguide disposed between the distributor and the first waveguide assembly, and / or between the distributor and the second waveguide assembly.

[0023] In one embodiment, the power of the first power microwave output is greater than the power of the second power microwave output.

[0024] One aspect of the present invention provides a radiation imaging device, including the aforementioned multi-level ray generator. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of this specification, illustrate the invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and enable those skilled in the art to make and use the embodiments described herein.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic layout diagram of a first embodiment of a multi-level ray generator according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the layout of a second embodiment of the multi-level ray generator according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic top view of a portion of an embodiment of a multi-level ray generator according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a portion of an embodiment of a multi-level ray generator according to the present invention, showing the field of view angle; and

[0030] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the multi-level ray generator of the present invention is shown, wherein figure a shows a schematic front view and figure b shows a corresponding schematic top view.

[0031] The features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference numerals consistently identify corresponding elements. In the drawings, similar reference numerals generally denote identical, functionally similar, and / or structurally similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the drawings provided throughout this application should not be construed as being drawn to scale. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0033] However, it should be understood that these descriptions are exemplary only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention for ease of explanation. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known techniques are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concepts of the invention.

[0034] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. The term "comprising" as used herein indicates the presence of features, steps, or operations, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features.

[0035] The terms "first," "second," etc., used herein are for descriptive purposes only, such as distinguishing different components, and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one feature. In the description of this application, the term "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0036] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the use of descriptions such as "above" or "below" the second feature indicates that the first and second features are in direct contact, or indirect contact via an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. Similarly, "below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature. The use of terms such as "above" and "below" to describe relative positions in this application is not intended to limit absolute concepts; for example, it may be used to indicate the relative positions of several features in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0037] All terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art, unless otherwise defined. It should be noted that the terms used herein are to be interpreted in a manner consistent with the context of this specification, and not in an idealized or overly rigid way.

[0038] In existing technologies, dual-X-ray devices typically operate independently in high-energy and low-energy modes, requiring two sets of X-ray units. This leads to several drawbacks, such as complex structure, low integration, large footprint, and significantly greater weight than single-energy devices, making integration into mobile vehicle-mounted systems difficult. Furthermore, detection efficiency is low due to the large footprint, resulting in slow detection during radiation imaging. The timing delay between the two X-ray units also significantly increases control complexity. Additionally, the need for two X-ray units significantly increases cost and power consumption, requiring the procurement of two separate materials and collimation systems, typically increasing the number of detectors. Finally, image fusion is challenging because the physical distance between the two X-ray sources makes image data fusion difficult, hindering material identification calculations.

[0039] This invention recognizes the many shortcomings of existing dual-energy X-ray devices that include two sets of X-ray units, and provides a new multi-level X-ray generator that can provide X-rays of at least two energy levels in a time-sequential manner, with the power of the two energy levels differing by about one order of magnitude or more. Furthermore, it can emit X-rays from the exit of a collimator, overcoming the difficulties in image processing caused by the physical distance of the beam exit, and greatly reducing the size and manufacturing cost of the entire multi-level X-ray generator.

[0040] One aspect of the present invention provides a multi-level ray generator, which may include a microwave power source 10 configured to provide a first power microwave output and a second power microwave output in a sequential manner. The first power microwave output is used to accelerate an electron beam, the accelerated electron beam bombarding and penetrating a first transmission target to generate a first ray, and the second power microwave output is used to accelerate an electron beam, the accelerated electron beam bombarding a second reflection target to generate a second ray.

[0041] In this embodiment, the multi-level X-ray generator of the present invention differs from existing generators. The multi-level X-ray generator of the present invention includes a first transmission target 31 and a second reflection target 32, thereby providing at least two levels of X-rays. Here, "two levels of X-rays" refers to two energy values ​​that differ by approximately one order of magnitude. This allows for two differentiated examinations in practical applications, providing high-precision imaging. It should be noted that each level of X-rays may include X-rays with multiple energy values.

[0042] In traditional dual-energy X-ray devices, a single target is typically used. Energy modes are switched in a time-division manner, such as alternating high / low-energy microwave beams, with an accelerating electron beam provided by an accelerating tube to bombard the target. This allows for switching between two energy modes, such as 9 MeV (high energy) / 6 MeV (low energy), 7 MeV (high energy) / 4 MeV (low energy), and 6 MeV (high energy) / 3 MeV (low energy). However, it can be seen that the two energy values ​​of X-rays provided by traditional X-ray devices still belong to the same order of magnitude or energy level, and cannot simultaneously provide MeV-level high-energy rays and sub-MeV-level low-energy rays. Such devices have insufficient resolution for materials with similar atomic numbers. The multi-level X-ray generator of this invention, by configuring a first transmission target 31 and a second reflection target 32, can provide MeV-level high-energy X-rays while simultaneously providing sub-MeV-level low-energy rays, such as 500 keV low-energy X-rays, representing a significant improvement over traditional X-ray generators.

[0043] It should be noted that the first embodiment of the multi-level X-ray device of the present invention can provide at least two energy levels of X-rays. In fact, by outputting power waves of two power values ​​through the microwave power source 10, the multi-level X-ray device of the present invention can provide X-rays of multiple energy values ​​from two energy levels. Specifically, in one embodiment, the multi-level X-ray device outputs microwaves of different powers through the microwave power source 10 in a time-division manner, which can output X-rays of two energy values, 9 MeV and 6 MeV, through the first transmission target 31; simultaneously, by sequentially outputting microwaves of different powers through the microwave power source 10 in a time-division manner, it can output X-rays of two energy values, 700 keV and 500 keV, through the second reflection target 32, thereby outputting at least three or even four different energy values ​​of X-rays. The multi-level X-ray generator of the present invention can provide X-rays of more energy values, and its applications are more extensive.

[0044] It should be understood that the microwave power source 10 can also output microwaves of other powers in a time-division manner, and output two types of X-rays through the first transmission target 31, with energies between 6MeV and 9MeV respectively; at the same time, by outputting microwaves of different powers in a time-division manner through the microwave power source 10, two types of X-rays can be output through the second reflection target 32, with energies between 700KeV and 500KeV respectively.

[0045] In this invention, an accelerating tube can be configured, and the first and second power microwave outputs generated by the microwave power source are respectively applied to the accelerating tube to generate two accelerated electron beams, which bombard the first transmission target and the second reflection target in a time-division manner. The first and second power microwave outputs can be microwave outputs of the same power or microwave outputs of different powers; here, "first" and "second" are used to refer to the two power microwave outputs. In one embodiment, in order to achieve a greater difference in energy values ​​between the first and second rays, the power of the first power microwave output is greater than the power of the second power microwave output.

[0046] In this invention, the different configurations of the first transmission target 31 and the second reflection target 32, namely the transmission mode and the reflection mode, not only realize the output of X-rays at different energy levels, but also allow the two to be configured on the same axis and receive the corresponding electron beams according to the microwave power timing sequence, providing a new solution for emitting multi-energy-level X-rays.

[0047] This invention also has other innovative aspects, and several embodiments are described below to illustrate various aspects of the invention.

[0048] Figure 1A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the multi-level X-ray generator of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the multi-level X-ray generator may include two accelerating tubes, namely a first accelerating tube 21 and a second accelerating tube 22. The first power microwave output of the microwave power source 10 can be introduced into the first accelerating tube 21 to accelerate a first electron beam, and the accelerated first electron beam is used to bombard and transmit through a first transmission target 31 to generate a first X-ray; simultaneously, the second power microwave output of the microwave power source 10 can be introduced into the second accelerating tube 22 to accelerate a second electron beam, and the accelerated second electron beam is used to bombard a second reflecting target 32 ​​to generate a second X-ray. The multi-level X-ray generator of the present invention has two accelerating tubes, thus enabling the flexible provision of X-rays of multiple energy levels by bombarding the first transmission target 31 and the second reflecting target 32 ​​through the two accelerating tubes respectively.

[0049] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the multi-level ray generator may further include a first waveguide assembly 51 and a second waveguide assembly 52, wherein the first waveguide assembly 51 guides a first power microwave output to a first accelerating tube 21, and the second waveguide assembly 52 guides a second power microwave output to a second accelerating tube 22. The configuration of the first waveguide assembly 51 and the second waveguide assembly 52 allows one or both microwave outputs of a microwave power source 10 to be guided to two accelerating tubes respectively, and because the first waveguide assembly 51 and the second waveguide assembly 52 can change the microwave propagation direction, the configuration direction of the first accelerating tube 21 and the second accelerating tube 22 can be adjusted. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the first acceleration tube 21 and the second acceleration tube 22 are configured to be perpendicular to each other.

[0050] exist Figure 2 In some embodiments, the multi-level ray generator may further include a distributor 80 configured to couple to the microwave power source 10 and distribute the microwaves output by the microwave power source 10 into a first power microwave output and a second power microwave output. The distributor 80 may be, for example, a four-terminal circulator. The microwave power source 10 is connected to the input of the four-terminal circulator, and the multiple outputs of the four-terminal circulator are respectively coupled to a first waveguide assembly 51 or directly coupled to a first accelerating tube 21, and coupled to a second waveguide assembly 52 for connection to a second accelerating tube 22; the distributor 80 may be other types of devices. The distributor 80 can cooperate with the microwave power source 10 to achieve a time-division common mode, so that when the microwave power source 10 outputs a first power microwave output, the distributor 80 distributes the first power microwave output to the first accelerating tube 21, and when the microwave power source 10 outputs a second power microwave output, the distributor 80 distributes the second power microwave output to the second accelerating tube 22. The time-sharing shared mode of microwave power source 10 can reduce overall power consumption and improve energy efficiency by approximately 20%. In addition, the shared mode allows the use of a single microwave power source 10, resulting in more stable energy control and improved imaging accuracy.

[0051] In this embodiment, the multi-level ray generator may further include a flexible soft waveguide 90, such as... Figure 2 As shown, a flexible waveguide 90 can be disposed between the distributor 80 and the first waveguide assembly 51, and / or between the distributor 80 and the second waveguide assembly 52. ​​The flexible waveguide 90 is deformable, thus allowing the first waveguide assembly 51 or the second waveguide assembly 52 to be configured in a desired orientation without being restricted by a hard connection to the microwave power source 10 or its downstream components.

[0052] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the output of the microwave power source 10 of the multi-level X-ray generator is directly coupled to the first waveguide assembly 51, and then to the first accelerating tube 21. The first accelerating tube 21 outputs a first electron beam that bombards the first transmission target 31 to generate high-energy X-rays. For another microwave output of the microwave power source 10, a flexible waveguide 90 is configured between the second waveguide assembly 52 and the microwave power source 10. This allows the second waveguide assembly 52 to be configured and oriented as needed, adjusting the orientation of the second accelerating tube 22, thereby enabling flexible configuration of the second reflecting target 32, for example, by placing it adjacent to the first transmission target 31.

[0053] Figure 3 A top view schematic diagram of one embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the first accelerating tube 21 corresponds to the first transmission target 31 and can generate high-energy X-rays, typically 9MeV (high energy) / 6 MeV (low energy), 7MeV (high energy) / 4 MeV (low energy), and 6MeV (high energy) / 3 MeV (low energy), etc.; the second accelerating tube 22 corresponds to the second reflecting target 32 ​​and can generate X-rays of 500KeV~1.5MeV. Figure 3 The first accelerating tube 21 and the second accelerating tube 22 are shown to be perpendicular to each other. The first transmission target 31 and the second reflection target 32 ​​are located near the outlets of the first accelerating tube 21 and the second accelerating tube 22, which will be described in more detail below.

[0054] In this invention, a shield can also be used. Specifically, the first accelerating tube 21 is wrapped by a first shield 61, and the second accelerating tube 22 is wrapped by a second shield 62, thereby preventing leakage of microwaves and electron beams. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The first shield 61 and the second shield 62 are shown respectively.

[0055] In one embodiment, the multi-level ray generator may further include a collimator 40, such as Figure 3As shown, the first ray generated by the first transmission target 31 and the second ray generated by the second reflection target 32 ​​are collimated sequentially by a common collimator 40. According to the invention, advantageously, a single collimator 40 is used to sequentially collimate the first ray generated by the first transmission target 31 and the second ray generated by the second reflection target 32, thereby enabling the entire multi-level X-ray generator to output two different energy levels of X-rays through the outlet of a single collimator 40. This is advantageous because, compared to conventional multi-level X-ray generators, where the exit points of the rays are physically spaced, and this spacing is often significant, resulting in different imaging positions and imaging delays, and causing difficulties in subsequent image processing, the exit points of the multi-level rays in this invention are essentially common, thus eliminating irradiation delay and image delay, and allowing the irradiated area to be precisely located at the same position. Simultaneously, the use of a common collimator 40 significantly reduces the size and manufacturing cost of the multi-level X-ray generator.

[0056] Figure 4 One embodiment is shown, illustrating the approximate positions of the first transmitting target 31 and the second reflecting target 32, as well as the emitted rays with an angular dispersion. Figure 4 In the process, the accelerated first electron beam in the first accelerating tube 21 bombards the first transmission target 31 in a horizontal direction, generating a first ray, which is then collimated into a first ray beam by the collimator 40. After the first electron beam bombards the first transmission target 31 to generate the first ray, an energy filtering and adjustment device 70 can be set to adjust the energy of the ray emitted by the first transmission target 31, thereby adjusting the energy / power value of the first ray. The second accelerating tube 22 is arranged orthogonally to the first accelerating tube 21. Figure 4 The second accelerator tube 22 is not shown in the view because it is obscured in the plane of the paper. Figure 4The center of the first electron beam from the first accelerating tube 21 is aligned with the center of the slit in the collimator 40. Simultaneously, the target center of the second reflecting target 32 ​​is located on the symmetry plane of the slit center in the collimator 40, but offset from the center direction of the first electron beam, for example, by a deviation distance of no more than 0.3 mm. For instance, it can be located outside the collimation envelope's lower angle limit, preventing the second reflecting target 32 ​​and the second accelerating tube 22 from obstructing the field of view between the first accelerating tube 21 and the first transmitting target 31. The spatial distance between the target centers of the first transmitting target 31 and the second reflecting target 32 ​​is, for example, no more than 40 mm, and can be adjusted according to the dimensions. The lower angle of the second electron beam from the second accelerating tube 22 is greater than and includes the upper and lower angle limits of the first electron beam from the first accelerating tube 21. In this embodiment, the first transmitting target 31 and the second reflecting target 32 ​​are offset and angled to each other at the entrance of the same collimator 40, so that the rays generated by the two targets can be collimated using only one common collimator 40. The target surface of the first transmission target 31 is perpendicular to the first electron beam emitted horizontally from the first accelerating tube 21, and the target surface of the second reflecting target 32 ​​is at an angle to the second electron beam, for example, at a 45-degree angle; however, the target surface of the second reflecting target 32 ​​may be at other angles to the second electron beam.

[0057] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the multi-level ray generator of the present invention is further shown, wherein figure a shows a schematic front view and figure b shows a schematic top view. Figure 5 Figures a and b in the diagram use dashed lines to represent microwave power sources and associated coupled waveguide components. Figure 5 Figure a shows the first accelerator tube 21 emitting a first electron beam from inside the paper toward the outside (for illustration purposes, the angle of the illustration has been artificially changed to show the first accelerator tube 21). The direction of the first electron beam is from inside the paper toward the outside, and the target surface of the first transmission target 31 is perpendicular to the direction of the first electron beam. Figure 5 The second accelerating tube 22 is arranged in a horizontal direction to provide a second electron beam emitted in a horizontal direction. The second reflecting target 32 ​​can be at an angle of, for example, 45 degrees to the second electron beam emitted in a horizontal direction. Figure 5 Figure b schematically shows the direction of the slit in the collimator 40. The X-rays generated by the first electron beam bombarding the first transmission target 31 pass through the collimator along the slit and are collimated.

[0058] Figure 5 To show the outlet 21-O of the first accelerating tube 21 and the outlet 22-O of the second accelerating tube 22, and to avoid obstruction, the first transmitting target 31 and the second reflecting target 32 ​​have been removed. However, based on the above description and in conjunction with... Figure 4 From the explanation, one can imagine that in Figure 5In this configuration, the first accelerating tube 21 and the second accelerating tube 22 are perpendicular to each other, thus defining a horizontal plane. The first transmission target 31 is arranged perpendicular to this horizontal plane and perpendicular to the first accelerating tube 21. The second reflecting target 32 ​​is arranged parallel to the first accelerating tube 21 and at an angle of, for example, 45 degrees to the horizontal plane. Further, as... Figure 5 As shown, the outlet 21-O of the first accelerator tube 21 and the outlet 22-O of the second accelerator tube 22 are spatially offset from each other. That is, in the height direction, the outlet 21-O of the first accelerator tube 21 can be higher than the outlet 22-O of the second accelerator tube 22, for example, less than 1 mm higher (it should be understood that it can also be less than 1 mm lower); at the same time, in the horizontal direction, such as Figure 5 As shown, relative to the centerline of the first accelerating tube 22, the outlet 22-O of the second accelerating tube 22 deviates from the centerline of the first accelerating tube 22 (which can be considered as deviating from the center of the outlet 21-O of the first accelerating tube 21) by, for example, a distance less than 1 mm. Correspondingly, the target center of the first transmitting target 31 and the target center of the second reflecting target 32 ​​are offset by a certain distance. For example, the first transmitting target 31 is arranged perpendicular to the centerline of the first accelerating tube 22, and the second reflecting target 32 ​​forms an acute angle, for example, 45 degrees, relative to the centerline of the second accelerating tube 22. Simultaneously, the second reflecting target 32 ​​forms an angle relative to the centerline of the first accelerating tube 22, and faces the outlet of the second accelerating tube 22. The first transmitting target 31 and the second reflecting target 32 ​​are close to each other and spatially offset from each other. However, as... Figure 5 As shown in Figure b, the target center of the first transmission target 31 and the target center of the second reflection target 32 ​​are arranged offset from each other, and both are arranged within the entrance range of the slit of the collimator 40.

[0059] The multi-level X-ray generator of this invention integrates all mechanical components and related electromechanical modules into a single X-ray head, and multiple devices are shared, resulting in a compact structure, small size, and an overall weight controlled to, for example, less than 2200 kg. For instance, the generator envelope dimensions in one embodiment can be 1280×805×935 mm, which is only slightly larger than the 1280×805×800 mm dimensions of a single-energy generator or X-ray accelerator tube. Furthermore, the multi-level X-ray generator of this invention maintains the same mechanical interface as a conventional 6 / 3 MeV dual-energy X-ray accelerator tube, significantly improving the equipment's versatility and expanding its application scenarios.

[0060] Furthermore, as described above, the multi-level X-ray generator of the present invention uses different high-energy-level accelerating tubes to achieve three-level switching such as 7MeV / 4MeV / 500KeV or 9MeV / 6MeV / 500KeV, thereby achieving X-ray output at three energy levels of 6MeV / 3MeV / 500KeV, enabling high-precision identification of the atomic number of materials, such as distinguishing organic matter, light metals, heavy metals, etc., and is easy to adjust.

[0061] Another aspect of the present invention provides a radiation imaging device, including the multi-level ray generator of the present invention.

[0062] Because the highly integrated multi-level radiation generator of this invention has the advantages of small size and high integration, it can realize a radiation imaging device with a compact structure, which has the advantages of small footprint and flexible relocation. For example, the multi-level radiation generator of this invention can be configured in a vehicle-mounted radiation imaging device and applied to containerized cargo and vehicle inspection systems.

[0063] Since the multi-level X-ray generator of the present invention can provide X-rays of multiple energy levels, it can be used to inspect the shape, size and material of suspected goods, and can be widely used in various customs, ports, stations and other places where goods are collected, distributed and transferred, and where people are densely populated.

[0064] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that implementations not illustrated or described in the drawings or the main text of the specification are forms known to those skilled in the art and are not described in detail. Furthermore, the definitions of the components described above are not limited to the various specific structures, shapes, or methods mentioned in the embodiments, and those skilled in the art can easily modify or substitute them.

[0065] Those skilled in the art will understand that the features described in the various embodiments and / or claims of the present invention can be combined and / or combined in various ways, even if such combinations or combinations are not explicitly described in the present invention. In particular, the features described in the various embodiments and / or claims of the present invention can be combined and / or combined in various ways without departing from the spirit and teachings of the present invention. All such combinations and / or combinations fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0066] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the present invention. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-level ray generator, comprising: A microwave power source, when configured, provides a first power microwave output and a second power microwave output; First transmission target; as well as Second reflective target, The first power microwave output is used to accelerate an electron beam, which bombards and penetrates a first transmission target to generate a first ray, and the second power microwave output is used to accelerate an electron beam, which bombards a second reflection target to generate a second ray.

2. The multi-level ray generator according to claim 1 further includes a first accelerating tube and a second accelerating tube. The first power microwave output is fed into a first accelerating tube to accelerate a first electron beam, which bombards and transmits through a first transmission target to generate a first ray; and The second power microwave output is fed into the second accelerating tube to accelerate the second electron beam, which then bombards the second reflective target to generate a second ray.

3. The multi-level ray generator according to claim 2, wherein the target surface of the first transmission target is arranged perpendicular to the accelerated first electron beam, and the target surface of the second reflection target is arranged at an acute angle to the accelerated second electron beam.

4. The multi-level ray generator according to claim 1 further includes a collimator, wherein the first ray generated by the first transmission target and the second ray generated by the second reflection target are collimated by the collimator in a time-division manner.

5. The multi-level ray generator according to claim 4, wherein the first transmission target and the second reflection target are arranged at the entrance of the collimator with offset and non-overlapping elements and at an angle to each other.

6. The multi-level ray generator according to claim 2, wherein the first accelerating tube is arranged along a first direction, the second accelerating tube is arranged along a second direction, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

7. The multi-level ray generator according to claim 2 further includes a first waveguide assembly and a second waveguide assembly, wherein the first waveguide assembly guides the first power microwave output to the first accelerating tube, and the second waveguide assembly guides the second power microwave to the second accelerating tube.

8. The multi-level ray generator according to claim 1 further includes a distributor configured to couple to a microwave power source and provide a first power microwave output and a second power microwave output based on the microwaves output by the microwave power source.

9. The multi-level ray generator according to claim 7 or 8 further includes a flexible soft waveguide disposed between the distributor and the first waveguide assembly, and / or between the distributor and the second waveguide assembly.

10. The multi-level radiation generator according to claim 1, wherein the power of the first power microwave output is greater than the power of the second power microwave output.

11. A radiation imaging apparatus comprising a multi-level ray generator according to any one of the preceding claims.

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