Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining an effective energy spectrum of an X-ray tube. It is described to provide (210) a temporally varying acceleration voltage of an X-ray tube for a time period. A temporally varying X-ray tube current is also provided (220) for the time period. At least one product of the temporally varying X-ray tube current and a time interval is determined (230). An effective energy spectrum of the X-ray tube processing the X-ray tube is determined (250) as a function of the at least one product of the temporally varying X-ray tube current and the time interval and as a function of the voltage of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (34) and a method (70) for determining a status of an X-ray tube (10) of an X-ray system (36). Due to ageing and/or wear of the X-ray tube, the spectrum of the X-ray radiation (30) provided by the X-ray tube may change over the operation time of the X-ray tube. The present invention therefore suggests evaluating spectrally different values detected with an X-ray detector arrangement (32) of the X-ray system. A reference data set representing a reference condition of the X-ray tube by a plurality of spectrally different reference-values (44) and a working data set representing an aged condition of the X-ray tube by a plurality of spectrally different working-values (46) of detected X-ray radiation are used to determine an equivalent filtration function for an filtration material influencing a source X-ray radiation (26) emitted by an anode (16) of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: An X-ray emitting device (200) with an attenuating element (1) for an X-ray imaging device (100) is proposed. The attenuating element comprises a perforated sheet (3) of strongly X-ray absorbing material such as e.g. tungsten or molybdenum with a sheet thickness of e.g. less than 1 mm. The sheet (3) comprises multiple pinhole openings (5). Therein, a density of pinhole openings is higher at a center region of the sheet than at border regions of the sheet. Accordingly, a transparency to X-rays is higher at the center region than at the border regions. The pinhole openings (5) have geometries such that most parts of contours of the pinhole openings are non-parallel to edges of a focal spot (15) of an X-ray source (101) comprised in the X-ray emitting device. For example, the pinhole openings may have a circular, oval or any other cross-sectional geometry with non-linear edges.

Abstract: In order to provide an increased, i.e. faster, periodic modulation of X-ray intensity, an anode disk (28) for a rotating anode in an X-ray tube includes a circumferential target area (34) with a target surface area (36), a focal track center line (38), and a beam-dump surface area (40). The target surface area when hit by an electron beam generates X-rays. The beam-dump surface area when hit by an electron beam generates no useful X-rays Target portions and beam-dump portions are arranged alternatingly along the focal track center line. A focal spot is centered on the focal track center line. Structures on both sides of the focal track center line are arranged such that same radiation intensities are provided by the both sides when being hit by a homogenous electron beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a source-detector arrangement (11) of an X-ray apparatus (10) for grating based phase contrast computed tomography. The source-detector arrangement comprises an X-ray source (12) adapted for rotational movement around a rotation axis (R) relative to an object (140) and adapted for emittance of an X-ray beam of coherent or quasi-coherent radiation in a line pattern (21); and an X-ray detection system (16) including a first grating element (24) and a second grating element (26) and a detector element (6); wherein the line pattern of the radiation and a grating direction of the grating elements are arranged orthogonal to the rotation axis; and wherein the first grating element has a first grating pitch varied dependent on a cone angle (?) of the X-ray beam and/or the second grating element has a second grating pitch varied dependent on the cone angle of the X-ray beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modification arrangement for an X-ray generating device, a modification method, a computer program element for controlling such device and a computer readable medium having stored such computer program element. The modification arrangement comprises a cathode, an anode (2) and modification means, e.g. a modification device. The cathode is configured to provide an electron beam (15). The anode (2) is configured to rotate under impact of the electron beam (15) and is segmented by slits (21) arranged around the anode's circumference. The modification means are configured to modify the electron beam (15) when the electron beam (15) is hitting one of the anode's rotating slits (21).

Abstract: A multiple X-ray beam X-ray source includes an anode structure and a cathode structure. The anode structure includes a plurality of liquid metal jets providing a plurality of focal lines. The cathode structure provides an electron beam structure that provides a sub e-beam to each liquid metal jet. The liquid metal jets are each hit by the sub e-beam along an electron-impinging portion of the jet circumferential surface that is smaller than half of the circumference of a cross-section of the liquid metal jet.

Abstract: Rotating anode X-ray tubes degrade over time because of the action of the electron beam altering the surface of the focal spot area of a rotating anode. This causes a degradation in a resulting object image, when the source is used in an imaging application. An X-ray tube housing assembly is discussed which allows the correction of such effects. In particular, an additional beam of the X-radiation, which is not used for imaging, may be used to correct such effects.

Abstract: An X-ray emitting device (200) with an attenuating element (1) for an X-ray imaging device (100) is proposed. The attenuating element comprises a perforated sheet (3) of strongly X-ray absorbing material such as e.g. tungsten or molybdenum with a sheet thickness of e.g. less than 1 mm. The sheet (3) comprises multiple pinhole openings (5). Therein, a density of pinhole openings is higher at a center region of the sheet than at border regions of the sheet. Accordingly, a transparency to X-rays is higher at the center region than at the border regions. The pinhole openings (5) have geometries such that most parts of contours of the pinhole openings are non-parallel to edges of a focal spot (15) of an X-ray source (101) comprised in the X-ray emitting device. For example, the pinhole openings may have a circular, oval or any other cross-sectional geometry with non- linear edges.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging device (1) and methods for operating such device are presented. In an embodiment, the device (1) comprises an X-ray source (5), an arrangement (12) of a first grating (13), a second grating (15) and a third grating (17), an X-ray detector (7) and a control device (21). The first, second and third gratings (13, 15, 17) are arranged in a beam path (9) of X-rays in a region upstream of an observation volume (3). At least one of the second and third gratings (15, 17) comprises a multiplicity of sub-gratings wherein each of the sub-gratings comprises a steering means (39) for displacing the subgrating with respect to the other one of the second and third gratings. The control device (21) is adapted to controlling the steering means (39).

Abstract: An Anode for an X-ray tube, comprising an anode disk comprising a circular focal track region being adapted to, upon impact of accelerated electrons, emit X-rays in an emission direction transverse to an impacting direction of the electrons; a ring-like modulating absorption grid; wherein the modulating absorption grid encloses the focal track region; wherein the modulating absorption grid comprises wall portions of X-ray absorbing material, the wall portions being arranged such as to absorb X-rays emitted from the focal track region in the emission direction; wherein the modulating absorption grid comprises slits between neighboring wall portions, the slits being arranged along a circumferential direction of the modulating absorption grid at spacings (s) of less than 100 ?m and the slits having a width (ws) in the circumferential direction of less than 50 ?m.

Abstract: Rotating anode X-ray tubes degrade over time because of the action of the electron beam altering the surface of the focal spot area of a rotating anode. This causes a degradation in a resulting object image, when the source is used in an imaging application. An X-ray tube housing assembly is discussed which allows the correction of such effects. In particular, an additional beam of the X-radiation, which is not used for imaging, may be used to correct such effects.

Abstract: A differential phase contrast imaging (DPCI) apparatus and an anode for an X-ray tube of such DPCI apparatus are proposed. The anode (39) comprises a rotatable anode disk (41) with a focal track region (51) close to a circumference (59) thereof. Upon impact of accelerated electrons, an X-ray (5) is emitted from a focal spot (53). The anode (39) further comprises a ring-like modulating absorption grid (55) fixedly connected to the anode disk (41). This modulating absorption grid (55) comprises wall portions (57) of an X-ray absorbing material and slits (67) between neighboring wall portions (57). Spacings between neighboring slits (67) are smaller than a width wf of the focal spot (53), for example smaller than 100 ?m, preferable less than 20 ?m, and the slits (67) have a width of less than 50 ?m, preferably less than 10 ?m. Upon rotation of the anode (39), the modulating absorption grid (55) may serve as a source grid in the DPCI apparatus, such that the generated electron beam (5) is periodically modulated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the generation of multiple X-ray beams (26). In order to provide a facilitated X-ray source with the capability of increased tube power for providing coherent radiation, for example in differential phase contrast imaging (DPCI), a multiple X-ray beam X-ray source (10) is provided with an anode structure (12) and a cathode structure (14). The anode structure comprises a plurality of liquid metal jets (16) providing a plurality of focal lines (18). The cathode structure provides an electron beam structure (20) that provides a sub e-beam (22) to each liquid metal jet. The liquid metal jets are each hit by the sub e-beam along an electron-impinging portion (24) of the circumferential surface that is smaller than half of the circumference.

Abstract: An X-ray tube with a rotatable anode for generating X-rays and an X-ray apparatus and a method for balancing the rotary anode of an X-ray tube include balancing of the rotary anode applicable to an anode mounted inside an X-ray tube. The rotatable anode includes an anode disc fixedly mounted to a rotatably driven support body, which is rotatably supported by a bearing arrangement. The anode includes at least one balancing cavity to adjust the center of gravity of the anode. The balancing cavity is partly filled with a balancing material being solid at operating temperature of the X-ray tube and liquid at a higher temperature. The balancing method includes determining an imbalance of the anode; heating liquefy balancing material; dislocating the balancing material inside the balancing cavity to compensate the imbalance; and cooling to solidify the balancing material.

Abstract: In an X-ray generating device (2) a temperature of a focal spot (21) may be determined. Furthermore a load condition is determined, which may also take into account a planned operation procedure of the X-ray generating device (2). The focal spot of the X-ray generating device is then automatically resizable based at least in part on the load condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modulating a generated X-ray beam. In order to provide an increased, i.e. faster, periodic modulation of the X-ray intensity, an anode disk (28) for a rotating anode in an X-ray tube for modulating a generated X-ray beam is provided, the anode disk comprising a circumferential target area (34) with a target surface area, a focal track centre line (38), and a beam-dump surface area. The target surface area is provided such that, when being hit by an electron beam, X-rays for X-ray imaging can be generated; and the beam-dump surface area is provided such that, when being hit by an electron beam, no useful X-rays for X-ray imaging can be generated. The target surface area comprises a plurality of target portions (80,82), and the beam-dump surface area comprises a plurality of beam-dump portions (88).

Abstract: An X-ray tube for generating X-radiation includes a rotary structure having a rotating anode, a stationary structure for rotatably supporting the rotary structure, and a hydrodynamic bearing which is arranged between the rotary structure and the stationary structure. The bearing includes a gap between the rotary structure and the stationary structure, a stabilizer configured to stabilize dimensions of the gap with respect to distortions because of thermo-mechanical causes.

Abstract: For X-ray tubes of the rotary-anode type for generating a fan beam of X-rays, compensation is afforded for system-related disturbances of the focal spot position on a target area of the rotating anode, and particularly for the anode wobble in an X-ray tube, which occurs as a periodically wobbling inclination angle of the anode disk's rotational plane with respect to an ideal rotational plane, the latter being oriented normal to the rotational axis of the rotary shaft on which the anode disk is inclinedly mounted due to an inaccuracy during its production process. For this purpose, the electron beam generated by a thermionic or other type of electron emitter of the tube's cathode and thus the focal spot position on a target area of the anode disk's X-ray generating surface are steered such that the focal spot stays within the plane of the central X-ray fan beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the generation of multiple X-ray energies in an X-ray tube. In order to provide an X-ray tube capable of generating multiple-energy X-ray radiation with a minimized design setup and an improved switching capacity, a multiple-energy X-ray tube (10) comprises a cathode (12), an anode (14) and an electron-braking device (16). The anode comprises a target surface (18) provided for generating X-rays as a result of impinging electrons. The cathode is provided for emitting electrons (20, 144, 148, 150) towards the anode to impinge on the target surface of the anode. The electron-braking device is intermittently arrangeable in a pathway (22, 144, 148, 150) of the electrons from the cathode to the anode and configured to slow at least a part of the electrons of the electron beam such that the energy of re-emitted electrons is lower than the energy of arriving electrons.