Cold emitter x-ray tube incorporating a nanostructured carbon film electron emitter
First Claim
18. An x-ray generating device, comprising:
- a vacuum x-ray tube, said vacuum x-ray tube having a nanostructured carbon film as a cathode electron emission source secured within said vacuum x-ray tube, said nanostructured carbon film being selected from the group consisting of nanocyrstalline graphite, carbon nanotubes, diamond, diamond like carbon, or a composite of two or more of members of the group;
means for generating an electric field within said vacuum x-ray tube;
target means for generating x-rays operably positioned within said vacuum x-ray tube; and
voltage generation means for generating a voltage, said voltage generation means being operably linked to said nanostructured carbon film and said target means.
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Abstract
A cold emitter x-ray tube is provided comprised of a cathode which is a carbon nanotube or nanostructured carbon film which serves as the electron emission source in an x-ray tube, and is positioned on a suitable substrate. The nanostructured carbon film is selected from a group consisting of nanocyrstalline graphite, carbon nanotubes, diamond, diamond like carbon, or a composite of two or more of members of the group. An extraction/suppression grid may be utilized. A metal anode which functions as the x-ray generating target is positioned within the x-ray tube. A high voltage source with negative contact is connected to the emitter and the positive contact connected to the anode target. This single source of high potential serves to provide the electric field, between the emitter and anode, for extraction of electrons from the emitter and to accelerate the electrons to the target for generation of x-rays. X-rays pass through a beryllium window that is an integral part of the vacuum envelope. The x-ray tube may be used for various applications such as portable x-ray spectrometry, portable fluoroscopy, radiation treatment, and the like.
70 Citations
31 Claims
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18. An x-ray generating device, comprising:
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a vacuum x-ray tube, said vacuum x-ray tube having a nanostructured carbon film as a cathode electron emission source secured within said vacuum x-ray tube, said nanostructured carbon film being selected from the group consisting of nanocyrstalline graphite, carbon nanotubes, diamond, diamond like carbon, or a composite of two or more of members of the group;
means for generating an electric field within said vacuum x-ray tube;
target means for generating x-rays operably positioned within said vacuum x-ray tube; and
voltage generation means for generating a voltage, said voltage generation means being operably linked to said nanostructured carbon film and said target means. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification