RF accelerator for imaging applications
First Claim
1. An accelerator for an electron beam used in the generation of x-rays, the accelerator comprising:
- a waveguide cavity having a bottom face and a face opposite the bottom face;
an electron emitter placed within the bottom face of the waveguide cavity for generating electrons that are accelerated through the waveguide cavity; and
means for directing the accelerated electrons through a plurality of openings extending through the face opposite the bottom face to a plurality of solid targets extending beyond the face opposite the bottom face on each of the plurality of openings for collimating the accelerated electrons and generating a fan-shaped x-ray beam.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is an RF cavity for accelerating electrons in imaging applications such as x-ray tubes and CT applications. An RF cavity having electron emitters placed therein accelerates the electrons across the cavity. The geometric shape of the cavity determines the electromagnetic modes that are employed for the acceleration of electrons. The fast electrons are used to generate x-rays by interacting with a target, either a solid or a liquid target. The electron accelerator may be used in an arc source for a stationary computed tomography application, in an x-ray tube, as a booster for an electron gun, and other imaging applications.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. An accelerator for an electron beam used in the generation of x-rays, the accelerator comprising:
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a waveguide cavity having a bottom face and a face opposite the bottom face; an electron emitter placed within the bottom face of the waveguide cavity for generating electrons that are accelerated through the waveguide cavity; and means for directing the accelerated electrons through a plurality of openings extending through the face opposite the bottom face to a plurality of solid targets extending beyond the face opposite the bottom face on each of the plurality of openings for collimating the accelerated electrons and generating a fan-shaped x-ray beam.
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2. An arc source for a stationary computed tomography apparatus comprising:
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a waveguide cavity having a bottom face and a face opposite the bottom face; at least one electron emitter placed within the bottom face of the waveguide cavity for generating electrons that are accelerated through the waveguide cavity; a plurality of openings extending through the face opposite the bottom face to a plurality of solid targets extending beyond the face opposite the bottom face on each of the plurality of openings for collimating the accelerated electrons and generating a fan-shaped x-ray beam.
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3. An electron beam accelerator for a rotating anode comprising:
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a waveguide cavity having a bottom face and a face opposite the bottom face; an electron emitter placed within said waveguide cavity on the bottom face for generating electrons that are accelerated through the waveguide cavity; a rotating anode target on the face opposite the bottom face for interaction with the accelerated electrons for the generation of x-rays. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification