Abstract: An anode for an X-ray tube is provided. The anode has a shape configured such that, in use: an electron beam impinges upon the anode at a focal spot on the surface of the anode, and the anode is heated by the electron beam from a first state to a predetermined second state and undergoes resulting thermal expansion causing a change in the location of the focal spot on the surface of the anode, wherein the configured shape of the anode is such that the spatial position of the focal spot with respect to the X-ray tube is substantially the same for the first state and the second state. A method of producing an anode for an X-ray tube is also provided.

Abstract: A window member for separating an internal environment of an x-ray device from an environment external to the x-ray device is provided. The window member comprises a substrate and a coating layer disposed upon a surface of the substrate. The substrate is formed from a polycrystalline material and is substantially transparent to low-energy x-rays. The coating layer is non-porous, covers the crystal grains at the surface of the substrate and extends into the grain boundaries therebetween, such that the coating layer forms an impermeable barrier between the substrate and the external environment.

Abstract: There is provided an anode stack for cooling and electrically insulating a high voltage anode of an X-ray device. The anode stack has at least a conductor member and a dielectric member, and the conductor member has a main body and a peripheral portion. The dielectric member overlies and couples with the main body of the conductor member at one surface. At an opposing surface of the main body of the conductor member, an end of the high voltage anode is coupled thereto in use. The peripheral portion of the conductor member has an annular region that surrounds at least a part of the dielectric member and which is spaced therefrom.

Abstract: An x-ray reflector may include: a substrate; a first layer formed on the substrate, the first layer including a relatively higher-Z material, where Z represents the atomic number; and a second layer formed on the first layer, the second layer including a relatively lower-Z material; at least one of the first layer and the second layer exhibiting a taper in an axial direction extending between a first end of the substrate and a second end of the substrate.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging apparatus for mammography. The apparatus places the focal spot of the x-ray source as close as possible to a compression paddle or into a desired region of tissue. The apparatus comprises an x-ray source, a collimator with conditioning optics which focus and direct x-ray radiation to a metal pseudo-target in the collimator or a needle placed along the x-ray beam, paddles for breast compression and a detector. The pseudo-target re-emits monochromatic x-ray radiation with an energy, intensity, and space distribution that are adjustable in accordance with a desired imaging procedure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an x-ray device and method for radiation treatment comprising an x-ray source 1, a collimator 4 incorporating conditional optics, such as a capillary lens 3 for directing and focusing the x-ray radiation, and implantable needles. One or more capillary semilenses 16, 17 are positioned along the optical axis of the x-ray beam allow to form a movable focus by changing the distance between the semilenses. The input end of the collimator 4 is optically and mechanically conjugated with the x-ray source 1. The output end of the collimator is optically and mechanically conjugated with an originating end of the needle 5. At its output end is a transparent window 6 on which can repose a layer 13 that substantially absorbs and re-emits radiation which passes through the window 6.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging apparatus for mammography. The apparatus places the focal spot of the x-ray source as close as possible to a compression paddle or into a desired region of tissue. The apparatus comprises an x-ray source, a collimator with conditioning optics which focus and direct x-ray radiation to a metal pseudo-target in the collimator or a needle placed along the x-ray beam, paddles for breast compression and a detector. The pseudo-target re-emits monochromatic x-ray radiation with an energy, intensity, and space distribution that are adjustable in accordance with a desired imaging procedure.

Abstract: An X-ray source is provided for delivering a high intensity X-ray beam with a predefined energy level of monochromatization, intensity and spatial distribution to a desired region of a sample. The source includes a linear accelerator with a thin anode 4, an electron trap 5 for separating an electron beam from an X-ray beam and conditioning optics which direct, shape and monochromatize the X-ray beam. The conditioning optics include a housing 8 within which are contained entrance slits, multi layer Kirkpatrick-Baez mirrors, exit slits, and a stop diaphragm. The invention also include a method of generating X-rays and a method of using them.

Abstract: An X-ray source is provided for delivering a high intensity X-ray beam with a predefined energy level of monochromatization, intensity and spatial distribution to a desired region of a sample. The source includes a linear accelerator with a thin anode 4, an electron trap 5 for separating an electron beam from an X-ray beam and conditioning optics which direct, shape and monochromatize the X-ray beam. The conditioning optics include a housing 8 within which are contained entrance slits, multi layer Kirkpatrick-Baez mirrors, exit slits, and a stop diaphragm. The invention also include a method of generating X-rays and a method of using them.

Abstract: An optical device for interacting with x-ray radiation, wherein the device includes an optical element configured for use as part of a spectroscopy tube, proportional counter, Geiger counter, optical detector or similar optical instrument. An exposed surface of the optical element is coated with at least one bonded layer of boron hydride composition to protect against abrasion, corrosion and other forms of degradation, as well as to provide enhanced sealing of the Z material against leakage. Methods of bonding the desired coating to the optical element are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multitarget x-ray tube which generates a number of x-ray beams of different characteristics in any desired combinations and/or sequences and in which cross-talk is reduced and beam purity is enhanced. The tube can be used in applications such as elemental analysis of materials by x-ray fluorescence, in which a sample is excited with x-rays from a primary source and in response releases x-ray photons having energies characteristic of the elements present in the sample, and in applications in which it can replace a radioactive source.