Fluorescent x-ray source

US7567650B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NV · NL

Inventors

• Geoffrey Harding · Hamburg, DE
• Bernd David · Henstedt-Ulzburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 12, 2004
• Grant date: Jul 28, 2009
• Expiry date: Aug 11, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01J2235/082
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention relates to an X-ray source for the generation of fluorescent X-rays. The X-ray source is realized by an electron source for the emission of electrons and a target which emits X-rays in response to the incidence of the electrons, the target comprising a ring-shaped primary target for the emission of primary X-rays in response to the incidence of the electrons and a secondary target for the emission of fluorescent X-rays in response to the incidence of the primary X-rays. To obtain an enhanced radiance, it is proposed that the primary target comprises a liquid metal channel arranged in a radial direction relative to a central axis, and that a liquid metal circulates in the liquid metal channel during operation of the X-ray source in the radial direction from an inner side to an outer side of the ring-shaped primary target.