X-ray Source Liquid Jet Target Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional X-ray sources face limitations in achieving high brilliance due to thermal overload issues, particularly with solid or liquid targets, where the anode material can melt or evaporate, restricting the electron-beam power and thus the X-ray power that can be extracted.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling an X-ray source by adjusting the width and total power of the electron beam to maintain a maximum power density below a predetermined limit, ensuring efficient energy delivery to a liquid jet target, which allows for increased X-ray production without thermal overload, using a liquid jet target that continuously replenishes material and manages thermal load effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the electron-beam power is increased to achieve higher X-ray power and brilliance, then the X-ray radiation output is improved, but the anode material melts or evaporates due to thermal overload

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveX-ray powerVSAvoidanode temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a liquid jet target instead of a solid anode, allowing the electron beam to interact with a flowing liquid metal stream. The liquid flow continuously removes heat through convection and phase change (evaporation), enabling high power density without melting or permanent damage to the target material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the target from solid to liquid, and introduces flow dynamics by creating a liquid jet. This parameter change allows the target to withstand much higher power densities because the liquid can be continuously replenished and cooled, preventing thermal accumulation that would occur in a solid anode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the electron beam is focused to a small spot to increase power density and X-ray brilliance, then the X-ray radiation intensity is improved, but the local heat concentration causes target damage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveX-ray brillianceVSAvoidthermal damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By using a liquid jet target, the patent enables high power density focusing while preventing thermal damage through the continuous flow of liquid. The flowing liquid carries away heat from the interaction region, allowing the electron beam to be tightly focused without causing melting or evaporation of the target material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid jet target serves its own cooling function through continuous flow. As the liquid passes through the interaction region, it automatically absorbs and transports heat away from the high-power-density region, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems and enabling sustained high brilliance operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the electron beam power density is increased to maximize X-ray generation efficiency, then the X-ray output is improved, but the target material evaporates or deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveX-ray generation efficiencyVSAvoidtarget material loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid jet target uses flowing liquid to continuously replace material at the interaction point. Even when some material evaporates or is damaged by high power density, the continuous flow ensures fresh target material is constantly supplied, maintaining stable X-ray generation efficiency over extended operation periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The continuous flow of liquid target material ensures that the X-ray generation process can operate continuously at high efficiency. The uninterrupted supply of fresh target material prevents degradation of X-ray output that would occur with solid targets as they become damaged or contaminated during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

This approach enhances X-ray production while preventing thermal overload, allowing for higher X-ray power delivery without damaging the target, thereby improving the X-ray source's performance and maintaining desired performance over its lifetime.

Implementation Method 1

X-ray radiation generated by an interaction between an electron beam and the target

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectron impact: Electron Beam

Data Source

PatentUS11350512B2Method for controlling an x-ray source

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 EXCILLUM

AI summary

A method for controlling an X-ray source configured to emit, from an X-ray spot on a target, X-ray radiation generated by an interaction between an electron beam and the target, wherein the X-ray spot is determined by the field of view of an X-ray optical system of the X-ray source. The method includes providing the target, providing the electron beam forming an electron spot on the target and interacting with the target to generate X-ray radiation, and adjusting a width and total power of the electron beam such that a maximum of the power density profile in the electron spot is below a predetermined limit, and such that a total power delivered to the target in the X-ray spot is increased.