Devices and methods for producing multiple x-ray beams from multiple locations
First Claim
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1. A multi-beam x-ray generating device comprising:
- a stationary field-emission cathode comprising a plurality of stationary and individually controllable electron-emitting pixels disposed in a predetermined pattern on the cathode;
an anode opposing the cathode comprising a plurality of focal spots disposed in a predetermined pattern that corresponds to the predetermined pattern of the pixels; and
a vacuum chamber enveloping the anode and cathode, wherein the plurality of pixels comprise at least one pixel having a first emission area and at least one pixel having a second emission area, wherein the first emission area is larger than the second emission area.
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Abstract
An x-ray generating device includes at least one field-emission cold cathode having a substrate and incorporating nanostructure-containing material including carbon nanotubes. The device further includes at least one anode target. Associated methods are also described.
132 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A multi-beam x-ray generating device comprising:
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a stationary field-emission cathode comprising a plurality of stationary and individually controllable electron-emitting pixels disposed in a predetermined pattern on the cathode;
an anode opposing the cathode comprising a plurality of focal spots disposed in a predetermined pattern that corresponds to the predetermined pattern of the pixels; and
a vacuum chamber enveloping the anode and cathode, wherein the plurality of pixels comprise at least one pixel having a first emission area and at least one pixel having a second emission area, wherein the first emission area is larger than the second emission area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An x-ray generating device comprising:
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a stationary field-emission cathode, the cathode comprising a planar surface with an electron-emissive material disposed on at least a portion thereof;
a gate electrode disposed in parallel spaced relationship relative to the planar surface of the cathode, the gate electrode comprising a plurality of openings having different sizes;
an anode opposing the cathode and spaced therefrom, the anode comprising a plurality of focal spots aligned with the electron-emissive material;
a vacuum chamber enveloping the anode and cathode; and
a controlling unit for operating the gate electrode such that the openings are manipulated to bring at least one beam of electrons emitted from the cathode into and out of registry with at least one of the focal spots. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of scanning an object with x-rays directed at the object from different locations, the method comprising:
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(i) providing a stationary field-emission cathode comprising a plurality of stationary and individually controllable electron-emitting pixels and disposing the pixels in a predetermined pattern on the cathode;
(ii) locating an anode in opposing relationship to the cathode and providing the anode with a plurality of focal spots disposed in a predetermined pattern that corresponds to the predetermined pattern of the pixels;
(iii) enveloping the anode and cathode with a vacuum chamber; and
(iv) activating at least one of the pixels thereby generating a beam of emitted electrons that is incident upon a corresponding focal spot of the anode, thereby generating an x-ray, and directing the x-ray toward the object to be scanned, wherein step (i) comprises providing at least one pixel having a first emission area and providing at least one pixel having a second emission area, wherein the first emission area is larger than the second emission area. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method of scanning an object with x-rays directed at the object from different locations, the method comprising:
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(i) providing a stationary field-emission cathode comprising a planar surface, and providing an electron emissive material on at least a portion of the planar surface;
(ii) disposing a gate electrode in parallel spaced relationship relative to the planar surface of the cathode, and providing the gate electrode with a plurality of openings having different sizes;
(iii) locating an anode in opposing relationship to the cathode and providing the anode with a plurality of focal spots aligned with the electron-emissive material;
(iv) enveloping the anode and the cathode in a vacuum chamber; and
(v) manipulating the gate electrode to bring at least one beam of electrons emitted from the cathode into and out of registry with at least one of the focal spots. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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Specification