Flat Panel X-Ray Source With Cathode Array On Exit Window
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray radiation sources are limited by their size, efficiency, and heat dissipation capabilities, making them less effective for high-power applications and compact designs, particularly in biohazard decontamination and imaging where wide-area, high-energy X-ray flux is required.
Innovation Solution
A radiation source with a cathode array formed on the exit window, directing the electron beam current at an advantageous angle to a wide-area X-ray target, allowing for efficient heat dissipation and increased X-ray flux generation, enabling the creation of compact, high-power X-ray sources that can operate for extended periods without thermal stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a traditional hot filament cathode is used in an X-ray tube, then X-ray radiation can be produced, but the device size is large and power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional hot filament cathode (thermal emission system) with a cold cathode field emission system. This substitution eliminates the need for thermal heating mechanisms, significantly reducing power consumption and enabling compact device design while maintaining X-ray production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the cathode from thermal emission (high temperature, high power) to field emission (low temperature, low power). This parameter change enables the transition from large, power-intensive traditional X-ray tubes to compact, energy-efficient devices
2Temperature
If the anode target area is increased to improve heat dissipation, then thermal stress is reduced, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cathode into multiple discrete field emission tips arranged in an array. This segmentation allows the electron beam to be distributed across a larger anode target area, improving heat dissipation capacity while maintaining a compact overall device structure through the vertical arrangement of tips
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar cathode design to a three-dimensional array of field emission tips. This dimensional change allows the electron source to be vertically stacked, enabling larger effective target area for heat dissipation without increasing the horizontal footprint of the device
3Power
If a cold cathode field emission system is used, then power consumption is reduced and device size is minimized, but X-ray flux generation efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically controllable field emission cathode array where individual tips or groups of tips can be activated or deactivated. This dynamic control allows optimization of electron beam current distribution to maximize X-ray flux generation efficiency while maintaining low overall power consumption and compact size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite field emission tip structures combining different materials with complementary properties. This composite approach enhances electron emission efficiency and stability, enabling higher X-ray flux generation from the compact cold cathode system without increasing power consumption
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables the production of high-power, compact X-ray sources with improved heat dissipation, allowing for efficient X-ray flux generation over wide areas, suitable for applications like biohazard decontamination and medical imaging, while reducing cooling requirements and increasing throughput.
Implementation Method 1
A radiation source with a cathode array formed on the exit window, directing the electron beam current at an advantageous angle to a wide-area X-ray target
Implementation Method 2
Current from the cathode produces both characteristic line radiation and Bremsstrahlung radiation as it strikes the anode target
Implementation Method 3
Current from the cathode produces both characteristic line radiation and Bremsstrahlung radiation as it strikes the anode target
Implementation Method 4
allowing for efficient heat dissipation and increased X-ray flux generation, enabling the creation of compact, high-power X-ray sources that can operate for extended periods without thermal stress
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation source which can emit X-ray flux using electron beam currents from a cathode array formed on the window through which the radiation will exit the source. The source can be made in formats which are compact or flat compared with prior art radiation sources. X-ray flux produced by the source can be used for such purposes as radiation imaging, sterilization, decontamination of biohazards or photolithography.