Abstract: The disclosed system includes an emitter array for generating x-rays, a detector array for sensing a flux of x-rays transmitted through a region of interest; apparatus for holding, moving and aligning the emitter array relative to the region of interest and the detector array; electronic means for controlling the emitters and for reading and analyzing the output from the detectors and converting it to image data, and a display for displaying and manipulating the image data. The individual emitters are operated in multiple groups each illuminating a region of interest between the emitter array and the detector array such that the cone of radiation rays projected on the detector array from any single emitter in any one such group is substantially spatially separated from the corresponding projected cones from all other emitters in that same group.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging system and method for reconstructing three-dimensional images of a region of interest from spatially and temporally overlapping x-rays using novel reconstruction techniques.

Abstract: A method of designing an x-ray emitter panel 100 including the step of determining a pitch scale, r, to be used in placing x-ray emitter elements 110 on the panel 100, thereby arriving at a specific design of x-ray emitter panel 100 suitable for a specific use.

Abstract: An x-ray collimator that may include a substrate containing a plurality of holes, each hole being frustoconical at one end and tubular at the other end for use in an x-ray imaging system, whereby the x-ray collimator may be aligned with a two-dimensional array of x-ray sources and a two-dimensional x-ray sensor, and whereby x-ray photons from the x-ray sources may pass through the collimator holes and emerge as a beam of x-ray photons in a narrow angle cone which may pass through a subject being imaged, positioned between the output holes of the collimator and the x-ray sensor.

Abstract: An x-ray generator may include a plurality of electron field emitters; a target material; a plurality of energisable solenoid coils; and an electronic power and timing circuit. The generator may provide electrical current to at least one individual solenoid coil to create a magnetic field to cause the path of electrons emitted from the emitter closest to the energised solenoid coil to be defocused and/or deflected before the electrons reach the target material. The target material may comprise a low atomic number material and a high atomic number material, the high atomic number material being arranged in a regular pattern, such that, in use, the electrons may be aimed at either the high or the low atomic number material.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing x-rays for use in imaging applications having a piezoelectric or pyroelectric crystal with an upper surface and a conducting film coating the upper surface. The crystal includes a plurality of field emitters formed as micrometer-scale exposed regions in the crystal having a one or more sharp peaks or ridges, or parallel trenches forming a wedge shaped emitter. The crystal is alternately heated and cooled over a period of time so that spontaneous charge polarization occurs in the crystal. The spontaneous charge polarization causes a perpendicular electric field to arise on the crystal's top and bottom faces, that is enhanced by the sharp peaks or ridges, thereby causing field emission of surface electrons from that location. X-rays are produced when the emitted electrons strike a target material located adjacent to the emitting face, and the X-rays may be filtered or collimated.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing x-rays for use in imaging applications having a piezoelectric or pyroelectric crystal with an upper surface and a conducting film coating the upper surface. The crystal includes a plurality of field emitters formed as micrometer-scale exposed regions in the crystal having a one or more sharp peaks or ridges, or parallel trenches forming a wedge shaped emitter. The crystal is alternately heated and cooled over a period of-time so that spontaneous charge polarization occurs in the crystal. The spontaneous charge polarization causes a perpendicular electric field to arise on the crystal's top and bottom faces, that is enhanced by the sharp peaks or ridges, thereby causing field emission of surface electrons from that location. X-rays are produced when the emitted electrons strike a target material located adjacent to the emitting face, and the X-rays may be filtered or collimated.

Abstract: A thermal imaging device is provided for converting an image in the terahertz radiation range to the visible range. In one embodiment, the device includes a converter having a thermochromic liquid crystal layer mounted on a sapphire base. In another embodiment, the device includes a thermal absorption layer including a metal selected from the group of iron, aluminum, tin, and copper. In a further embodiment, the device has an light source shaped as an annulus for illuminating a rearward surface of the converter, configured to permit visible light rays to pass through the annulus for capture by a digital detector. In a final embodiment, the device has a thermal adjustment device for adjusting the temperature of the thermochromic liquid crystal layer to an optimal temperature.

Abstract: A resonant laser powered micro accelerator platform capable of producing relativistic or near relativistic electrons and, optionally, x-rays. The apparatus has a pair of parallel slab-symmetric dielectric slabs that are separated by a narrow vacuum gap that is preferably tapered. The slabs have a top surface with reflective layers with many periodic slots creating longitudinal periodicity in the structure fields when laser light is directed on the reflectors in one embodiment. Electrons introduced into the gap are accelerated along the length of the slabs. The reflective surface of the slabs is preferably a laminate of alternating layers of high index and low index of refraction materials.

Abstract: In an electron accelerator, a conductive housing defines a cavity. Photoelectrons are emitted from a photocathode into the cavity when light is applied to the photocathode. Via an opening formed in a wall of the conductive housing, the photoelectrons are output to the outside of the cavity. Coolant is flowed through a flow path formed in the wall of the conductive housing, to suppress a temperature rise of the conductive housing. The wall of the conductive housing is made by a metal additive manufacturing technique in such a way as to produce a flow path that has a gentle trajectory without discontinuities in gradient.

Abstract: A thermal imaging device is provided for converting an image in the terahertz radiation range to the visible range. In one embodiment, the device includes a converter having a thermochromic liquid crystal layer mounted on a sapphire base. In another embodiment, the device includes a thermal absorption layer including a metal selected from the group of iron, aluminum, tin, and copper. In a further embodiment, the device has an light source shaped as an annulus for illuminating a rearward surface of the converter, configured to permit visible light rays to pass through the annulus for capture by a digital detector. In a final embodiment, the device has a thermal adjustment device for adjusting the temperature of the thermochromic liquid crystal layer to an optimal temperature.

Abstract: In an electron accelerator, a conductive housing defines a cavity. Photoelectrons are emitted from a photocathode into the cavity when light is applied to the photocathode. Via an opening formed in a wall of the conductive housing, the photoelectrons are output to the outside of the cavity. Coolant is flowed through a flow path formed in the wall of the conductive housing, to suppress a temperature rise of the conductive housing. The wall of the conductive housing is made by a metal additive manufacturing technique in such a way as to produce a flow path that has a gentle trajectory without discontinuities in gradient.