X-RAY TUBE HAVING PLANAR EMITTER WITH TUNABLE EMISSION CHARACTERISTICS AND PERFORMING MAGNETIC STEERING AND MAGNETIC FOCUSING

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve x-ray image quality via improved electron emission characteristics, and/or improve accuracy in control of a focal spot size and position on an anode target.SOLUTION: A flat emitter is provided with tunable emission capabilities as an electron source. Two quadrupoles are utilized to focus a beam in two dimensions to a multiplicity of sizes. Two dipoles are utilized to steer the beam to positions for enhanced imaging performance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A