Apparatus and method for improved transient response in an electromagnetically controlled X-ray tube

摘要

An x-ray tube assembly includes a vacuum enclosure that has a cathode portion, a target portion, and a throat portion. The throat portion includes a metal bellows. An upstream end of the throat portion is coupled to the cathode portion and a downstream end of the throat portion is coupled to the target portion. The x-ray tube assembly also includes a target positioned within the target portion of the vacuum enclosure, and a cathode positioned within the cathode portion of the vacuum enclosure. The cathode is configured to emit a stream of electrons through the throat portion toward the target.