Rotating Anode X-ray Tube with Low-Power Electron Gun
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current X-ray beam delivery systems for analytical applications, such as protein crystallography and semiconductor metrology, face limitations in brilliance due to the use of micro-focus sources with fixed anodes, which restrict high power operation and require complex cooling systems, leading to reliability issues and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A device with a rotating anode and a low-power electron gun that focuses the electron beam to a quasi-point size, allowing high-speed rotation and efficient energy distribution, reducing heating and enabling a more reliable and cost-effective X-ray beam delivery system with improved brilliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a micro-focus source with fixed anode is used, then the system is simple and reliable, but the brilliance is limited and high power operation is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a fixed anode to a rotating anode system. The anode rotates at high speed (typically 3000-10000 rpm) to distribute the electron beam impact over a larger surface area, enabling high power operation (up to several kW) without overheating. This dynamic solution allows the system to achieve both high brilliance through high power and maintains reliability by preventing thermal damage through continuous rotation and heat distribution.
2Power
If a rotating anode with water cooling system is used, then high power operation is enabled, but the system complexity increases and maintenance costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the complex water cooling system from the rotating anode design. Instead of cooling the anode through forced convection with water channels, the invention uses natural convection and radiation from the anode surface, or simpler cooling methods. This extraction of the complex cooling system reduces maintenance requirements and system complexity while still enabling high power operation through the rotating anode's inherent heat distribution capability.
3Power
If high power electron guns are used, then brilliance is improved, but heating of the anode increases requiring complex cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the segmentation principle by dividing the heat load distribution through rotation. The electron beam continuously strikes different segments of the rotating anode surface, distributing the thermal energy across multiple areas rather than concentrating it at one spot. This segmentation of the target area allows high power electron beams to be used while maintaining acceptable temperatures at any given location on the anode, reducing the need for complex cooling systems.
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 system achieves higher brilliance and reduced operating costs by focusing the electron beam to a small target area, increasing power density and reducing the need for high-power electron guns, while also improving the reliability and efficiency of the anode cooling system.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray source comprising an electron gun adapted to generate a continuous beam of electrons on a target region of an anode for X-ray emission by the anode
Implementation Method 2
the exit window is arranged so as to transmit an X-ray beam emitted by the anode, so that the X-ray beam emitted towards the conditioning means is defined by a substantially point-size focal spot
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to X-ray analytical instruments (RX), more precisely a device for providing a high energy X-ray beam, typically above 4 keV, for X-ray analysis applications. The device comprises an X-ray tube with a turning anode and an X-ray lens for shaping the beam.