Large-area individually addressable multi-beam x-ray system and method of forming same
US6876724B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 5, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J2235/068
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A structure to generate x-rays has a plurality of stationary and individually electrically addressable field emissive electron sources with a substrate composed of a field emissive material, such as carbon nanotubes. Electrically switching the field emissive electron sources at a predetermined frequency field emits electrons in a programmable sequence toward an incidence point on a target. The generated x-rays correspond in frequency and in position to that of the field emissive electron source. The large-area target and array or matrix of emitters can image objects from different positions and/or angles without moving the object or the structure and can produce a three dimensional image. The x-ray system is suitable for a variety of applications including industrial inspection/quality control, analytical instrumentation, security systems such as airport security inspection systems, and medical imaging, such as computed tomography.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.