Hybrid Electron Emission Source for X-ray Tube Vacuum Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Field electron emission sources in x-ray tubes have a low electron emission quantity and are prone to degradation due to a low vacuum degree, which is not sufficiently addressed by existing technologies, leading to reduced performance and lifespan.
Innovation Solution
An x-ray tube with a hybrid electron emission source that combines a thermal electron emission source and a field electron emission source, sharing a focusing cup and getter to efficiently remove outgassing during manufacturing and operation, thereby maintaining a stable vacuum and improving performance and lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a field electron emission source is used, then digital control capability and high-speed scan driving are improved, but electron emission quantity is reduced and vacuum degree requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a thermal electron emission source and a field electron emission source into a hybrid configuration. The thermal source provides high electron emission quantity while the field source provides digital control capability, resolving the contradiction between automation and emission quantity by merging both emission mechanisms in one system.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid electron emission source serves multiple functions: the thermal emission component ensures sufficient electron supply, while the field emission component enables digital control and high-speed scanning. This multi-functional design allows the system to achieve both high automation and high electron emission quantity simultaneously.
2Speed
If a field electron emission source is used, then high-speed scan driving is improved, but vacuum degree requirement increases leading to degradation
Solution Approach 1:
By merging thermal and field emission sources, the system benefits from the thermal source's tolerance to vacuum variations while maintaining the field source's high-speed capability. The thermal source acts as a buffer that stabilizes the vacuum environment, protecting the field source from degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing dual emission mechanisms with different vacuum requirements. The thermal source operates effectively at higher vacuum levels, while the field source operates at optimized vacuum levels, allowing the system to maintain high scan speeds without compromising vacuum stability.
3Quantity of substance
If thermal electron emission source is used, then electron emission quantity is improved, but digital control capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid configuration merges the high emission quantity advantage of thermal sources with the digital control advantage of field sources. Each component compensates for the other's weakness, achieving both high electron quantity and full digital controllability in a unified system.
4Extent of automation
If only field electron emission source is used, then digital control is improved, but outgassing removal capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal electron emission source generates sufficient heat to activate the getter and remove outgassing from the vacuum chamber. This thermal effect, combined with the field source's digital control capability, resolves the contradiction between automation and outgassing removal by utilizing the thermal source's byproduct heat for vacuum maintenance.
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 hybrid electron emission source effectively removes outgassing, preventing vacuum degradation and enhancing the performance and lifespan of the x-ray tube by selectively using thermal or field electron emission sources based on requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal electron emission source and a field electron emission source, and emits an electron beam by selectively using at least one of the thermal electron emission source and the field electron emission source
Implementation Method 2
a gate electrode forming an electric field; and a cathode electrode including an emitter that emits electrons induced by the electric field
Implementation Method 3
a target part including a target material that emits an x-ray as the emitted electron beam collides with the target part
Implementation Method 4
a getter provided in the focusing cup, the getter removing adsorbing and removing outgassing that occurs in the x-ray tube
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an x-ray tube including a hybrid electron emission source, which uses, as an electron emission source, a cathode including both a field electron emission source and a thermal electron emission source. An x-ray tube includes an electron emission source emitting an electron beam, and a target part including a target material that emits an x-ray as the emitted electron beam collides with the target part, wherein the electron emission source includes a thermal electron emission source and a field electron emission source, and emits the electron beam by selectively using at least one of the thermal electron emission source and the field electron emission source.