Abstract:
An X-ray emission device having a microwave source and a resonant chamber. The resonant chamber contains a hermedically sealed volume of gas, a magnetic structure defining a geometrical electron-confinement zone in which electrons move at high speed. At least one target is placed in an electron path in order to emit X-rays. Each target is offset with respect to a mid-region of the geometrical conbinement zone.
Abstract:
An x-ray generator has a beam guidance system including an air coil and a toroidal solenoid coil, a ring anode surrounding the patient to be examined and arranged axially offset relative to the beam guidance, and individually driveable electron-optical components couple the electrons, which orbit on a circular specified path in the magnetic dipole field of the air coil, out of that path, deflect them in the axial direction, and focus them onto a segment of the ring anode allocated to the respectively activated out-coupling element.
Abstract:
A mobile irradiation device for providing either energetic electrons or short wavelength photons, i.e., gamma ray and/or x-rays has a photocathode, a laser for illuminating the photocathode and a radio-frequency electron gun for accelerating electrons emitted from the laser illuminated photocathode. A quadrupole magnet triple facilitates focusing of energetic electrons onto the target or the material to be irradiated.
Abstract:
A portable x-ray tube 68 for producing x-rays, the tube 68 having an energy source 74 which directs energetic particles or photons at an electron multiplier 80 coupled to the energy source 74. A voltage source 84 applies a multiplier voltage across the electron multiplier 80. When triggered by the energy source 74, the electron multiplier 80 creates a multitude of electrons 28 directed towards a target anode 90 that receives the electrons and produces x-rays 30. The target anode 90 is coupled at a voltage difference of at least 3 kV relative to the electron multiplier 80 so as to define an electron acceleration region 32 between the electron multiplier 80 and the target anode 90. The target anode 90 contains an element having an atomic number greater than 11. A low pressure enclosure 70 contains the electron multiplier 80 and the target anode 90. The low pressure enclosure 70 includes a window 92 for allowing the x-rays 30 to pass through substantially unchanged.
Abstract:
A small, low cost, low power, and portable x-ray source that produces an x-ray flux that is sufficient to produce high quality x-ray images on suitable x-ray sensitive films. The source includes a vacuumated chamber that is filled with a heavy atomic weight gas at low pressure and an x-ray emitter. The chamber is in a magnetic field and an oscillating electric field and generates an Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) plasma having a ring of energetic electrons inside the chamber. The electrons bombard the x-ray emitter which in turn produces x-ray radiation in a given direction. A pair of magnetic members generate an axisymmetric magnetic mirror trap inside the chamber. The chamber may be nested within a microwave resonant cavity and between the magnets, or the chamber and microwave cavity may be a single composite structure. The source is useful to make x-ray photographs virtually anywhere and may be battery powered.
Abstract:
An improved X-ray tube including a coaxial tube with a center conductor isolated by a cylindrical insulator from a continuous annular interior conductor disposed about the insulator. The interior conductor includes sharp edged (high gradient) longitudinally aligned gaps in its surface with these gaps further generally aligned opposite one or more high atomic number targets deployed within the interior of a partially evacuated housing. A high voltage, high frequency AC or rapidly pulsed DC electrical excitation source is connected across the center and interior conductors to develop a high voltage electric field across the conductor gaps. A high voltage single or multiple pulse generating circuit is further connected across the interior conductor and the target to produce X-rays.
Abstract:
An X-ray source with a cathode formed as a cylindrical electrode having a hollow central anode tube on its axis, with a grid surrounding the anode and interposed between the anode and cathode. The central anode tube is hollow and filled with a working medium. A high negative voltage is applied to the cathode, but the flow of electrons to the anode is blocked by the grid which is held near cathode potential. After a space charge is created at the grid by electrons from the cathode, a very short pulse to ground is applied to one end of the grid, yielding a relativistic wave of potential which propagates along the axial length of the grid. This wave of potential releases the electrons from the cathode, which flow directly to the anode. The impingement of the electrons on the tubular anode produces X-rays from the interior surface of the anode tube. These X-rays, together with the impinging electrons, pump the working medium along the length of the anode, causing a population inversion leading to the release of coherent X-rays in a wave synchronized with the propagating grid potential which exits the structure at the far end of the anode. The X-ray source may consist of identical units coupled together in series to provide a high power X-ray beam, and may be configured in other than cylindrical shapes depending on the output desired.
Abstract:
An ion or electron beam is steered or focussed by a circular magnetic field produced by passing a large electrical current through a straight conducting wire, the magnetic field being co-axial with the wire. Annular beams of charged particles coaxial with the straight wire can be focussed onto a circular spot or, depending upon the entry radius of the annular beam and the magnetic field strength, can be induced to follow a looping trajectory. The effect of the steering or focussing system can be enhanced by the provision of a cylindrical conductor which is co-axial with the straight conducting wire and maintained at a voltage sufficient to produce the desired particle trajectory such that the particle beam passes between the wire and the cylindrical conductor. The beam steering or focussing systems is applicable to the fields of beam current density intensification, ion implantation, ion separation and free electron lasers.
Abstract:
A high speed multiple section, computed-tomographic x-ray scanner is provided. The scanner utilizes a multiple-anode, scanning electron beam x-ray source to provide high speed scanning of sections of the body. No mechanical motion is involved.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an electron accelerator including an evacuated acceleration tube, a target exposed to the electron beam, an electron absorber following the target in beam direction, a collimator and a compensation body arranged therein centered on the axis of symmetry thereof. In such electron accelerators, used in radiotherapy, the soft radiation component is to be suppressed as much as possible. To this end the invention provides a filter plate made of heavy metal beyond the electron absorber, while the compensation body is made of a material of comparatively low atomic number. The filter plate may be inserted between the electron absorber and the compensation body. The target may be provided on the side of the electron absorber facing the acceleration tube.