Abstract: A method for controlling emission of a beam of electrons in an X-ray imaging tube. The X-ray imaging tube has an anode and a cathode. The method comprises a step in which at least one emission device included in the cathode emits an accelerated incident beam of electrons onto an impact focal spot on the anode to generate X-rays. An emission device is associated firstly with an assembly of polarizing plates and secondly with a focusing cup. An electric generator simultaneously applies a beam focusing voltage to the assembly and/or to the cup to control a characteristic dimension of the focal spot, and a cut-off voltage to the cup to control the emission of the beam by the device. The invention also concerns a corresponding cathode, tube and imaging system.

Abstract: A method for controlling emission of a beam of electrons in an X-ray imaging tube. The X-ray imaging tube has an anode and a cathode. The method comprises a step in which at least one emission device included in the cathode emits an accelerated incident beam of electrons onto an impact focal spot on the anode to generate X-rays. An emission device is associated firstly with an assembly of polarizing plates and secondly with a focusing cup. An electric generator simultaneously applies a beam focusing voltage to the assembly and/or to the cup to control a characteristic dimension of the focal spot, and a cut-off voltage to the cup to control the emission of the beam by the device. The invention also concerns a corresponding cathode, tube and imaging system.

Abstract: In a method for stabilizing the size of a focal spot of an X-ray tube and contrast modulation function of a X-ray tube, the tube has a cathode comprising a concentrator and a heating filament. It has an anode is placed so as to be facing the cathode. With the filament, the cathode produces an electron beam bombarding the focal spot of the anode. A bias voltage is applied between a terminal of the filament and a terminal of the concentrator. The tube has means to measure the size of the focal spot and the function of contrast modulation. It also has means to regulate the size of the focal spot and the contrast modulation function by means of a bias voltage.

Abstract: In a method for stabilizing the size of a focal spot of an X-ray tube and contrast modulation function of a X-ray tube, the tube has a cathode comprising a concentrator and a heating filament. It has an anode is placed so as to be facing the cathode. With the filament, the cathode produces an electron beam bombarding the focal spot of the anode. A bias voltage is applied between a terminal of the filament and a terminal of the concentrator. The tube has means to measure the size of the focal spot and the function of contrast modulation. It also has means to regulate the size of the focal spot and the contrast modulation function by means of a bias voltage.

Abstract: An X-ray emission device having a microwave source and a resonant chamber. The resonant chamber contains a hermedically sealed volume of gas, a magnetic structure defining a geometrical electron-confinement zone in which electrons move at high speed. At least one target is placed in an electron path in order to emit X-rays. Each target is offset with respect to a mid-region of the geometrical conbinement zone.