Abstract: According to one embodiment, An X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes an X-ray generator that generates X rays, an X-ray detector that detects the X rays generated by the X-ray generator and having passed through a subject, an X-ray restrictor that restricts an irradiation range on a detection surface of the X-ray detector of the X rays generated by the X-ray generator, a signal input unit that inputs a biomedical signal related to the subject, a signal detector that detects a biomedical change from the biomedical signal and also outputs an extension switching signal, and an X-ray restrictor controller that controls the X-ray restrictor such that the irradiation range of the X rays is extended in response to output of the extension switching signal.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus is provided. The X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray generator configured to radiate X-rays onto an object having a region of interest (ROI) and a non-ROI, a filter configured to adjust an X-ray dose of the X-rays incident on the ROI and the non-ROI, an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-rays transmitted through the object and convert the X-rays into X-ray data, and an image processing unit configured to obtain a frame image using the X-ray data, register the obtained frame image to a previous frame image, synthesize the frame image and the previous frame image, and generate a reconstructed frame image.

Abstract: In an optical system that includes a waveguide with multiple diffractive optical elements (DOEs) incorporating diffraction gratings, light exiting a trailing edge of an upstream DOE enters a leading edge of a downstream DOE. One or more of the DOEs may include a leading and/or a trailing edge that have a graded profile. At a graded trailing edge of an upstream DOE, grating height smoothly decreases from full height to shallow height as a function of the proximity to the trailing edge. At a graded leading edge of the downstream DOE grating height smoothly increases from shallow height to full height as a function of distance away from the leading edge. By reducing a sharp boundary at the interface between the upstream and downstream DOEs, the graded profiles of the DOE edges enable optical resolution to be maintained decreasing sensitivity to misalignment between the DOEs that may occur during manufacturing.

Abstract: A breast thickness measuring apparatus and a breast thickness measuring method are applied to a radiographic image capturing system. After a breast, which is placed on a support table, has been compressed by a compression plate having a marker disposed thereon, the breast is irradiated with radiation emitted from a radiation source. A radiographic image is generated on the basis of radiation that has passed through the breast, and a marker image, which is included within the radiographic image, is detected by a marker detector. Finally, the thickness of the compressed breast is calculated by a thickness calculator on the basis of a position of the detected marker image, a position of the radiation source, and information concerning the compression plate.

Abstract: A raw DPC (differential phase contrast) image of an object is acquired. The background phase distribution due to the non-uniformity of the grating system is acquired by the same process without an object in place, and the true DPC image of the object is acquired by subtracting the background phase distribution from the raw DPC image.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying images of internal anatomy includes an image processing device configured to provide high resolution images of the surgical field from low resolution scans during the procedure. The image processing device digitally manipulates a previously-obtained high resolution baseline image to produce many representative images based on permutations of movement of the baseline image. During the procedure a representative image is selected having an acceptable degree of correlation to the new low resolution image. The selected representative image and the new image are merged to provide a higher resolution image of the surgical field. The image processing device is also configured to provide interactive movement of the displayed image based on movement of the imaging device, and to permit placement of annotations on the displayed image to facilitate communication between the radiology technician and the surgeon.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multi-layer mirror comprising a multi-layer stack of pairs of alternating layers of a first material and silicon, the method comprising depositing a stack of pairs of alternating layers of the first material and layers of silicon, the stack being supported by a substrate and doping at least a first layer of the first material with a dopant material.

Abstract: A system for radiation therapy includes a radiation planning system. The radiation planning system includes a data processor that is adapted to receive information concerning an intended radiation treatment region of a body, receive a calculated initial energy released per unit mass for a plurality of locations within the body, compute a radiation dose at a plurality of locations within the radiation treatment region based on the calculated initial energy released per unit mass and including radiation dose contributions due to scattering from other locations within the body, and determine radiation therapy parameters for providing radiation treatment to the intended radiation treatment region based on the radiation dose computed at the plurality of locations within the radiation treatment region. Including radiation dose contributions due to scattering from other locations within the body take into account density discontinuities in the body.

Abstract: In the field of resolution test charts for analysis of the resolution of X-ray tomography systems, a test chart comprises a substrate bearing X-ray absorbent zones, with widths and spacings to allow measurement of the system resolution. To avoid shadow effects when the X-ray illumination beam is divergent and when the absorbent zones have a large height/width ratio (from 2 to 5 for example), the absorbent zones in the diverse points of the pattern have a shape of which a general direction of elevation with respect to the surface of the substrate is rotated toward a point of convergence which is the same for all absorbent zones. The X-ray source is placed at the convergence point, eliminating shadow effects. The oblique elevation can be obtained by specific etching steps, or curvature of the substrate after fabrication of the absorbent patterns, or else by use of two superimposed partial test charts.

Abstract: Information is provided regarding a block's sectional contour in a particular plane as corresponds to a radiation-therapy beam. For a point at which block effects are to be assessed, a point is projected onto a plane of the block and a plurality of straight lines is then formed. Each line has a particular relationship with respect to the projected point (such as having each such line intersect all others at the projected point). Intersections amongst these straight lines and the contour are used to evaluate corrections to the dose at the point. These teachings will accommodate identifying line segments that are located within the contour and that are bound by the intersections with the contour. Elementary contributions as correspond to each of these line segments can be averaged to evaluate delivered dose corrections that are due to the presence of beam-limiting and beam-shaping devices in the particular treatment plan.

Abstract: An X-ray fluorescence analysis apparatus is provided with: an excitation source configured to excite an analysis target sample to emit a characteristic X-ray; an X-ray detector configured to detect the characteristic X-ray emitted from the analysis target sample; and an electromagnetic wave shield and a heat shield that are sequentially arranged from the analysis target sample toward the X-ray detector. The electromagnetic wave shield is provided with a through hole portion on which a through hole through which the characteristic X-ray passes is formed, the through hole having a size equal to or smaller than 50 ?m. The heat shield is provided with a window portion through which the characteristic X-ray is passed through.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an X-ray photographing apparatus. The X-ray photographing apparatus uses a moving source and a tension spring in order to let a grid reciprocate for removing a scattered radiation. The moving source generates moving force moving the grid toward one side, and the tension spring applies tension force moving the grid toward the other side. According to the present invention, since the grid moves at a velocity close to a constant velocity, image quality is improved.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, hybrid compute environments, methods and computer-readable media for dynamically provisioning nodes for a workload. In the hybrid compute environment, each node communicates with a first resource manager associated with the first operating system and a second resource manager associated with a second operating system. The method includes receiving an instruction to provision at least one node in the hybrid compute environment from the first operating system to the second operating system, after provisioning the second operating system, pooling at least one signal from the resource manager associated with the at least one node, processing at least one signal from the second resource manager associated with the at least one node and consuming resources associated with the at least one node having the second operating system provisioned thereon.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for estimating and compensating for table deflection in reconstructed images. In one embodiment, a method for computed tomography (CT) imaging comprises reconstructing images from data acquired during a helical CT scan where table deflection parameters are estimated and the reconstruction is adjusted based on the table deflection parameters. In this way, images may be reconstructed without artifacts caused by table deflection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for performing an x-ray fluorescence analysis, in which method a primary radiation (16) is directed at a specimen (12) by an x-radiation source (14) and in which method a secondary radiation (18) emitted by the specimen (12) is detected by a detector (20) and evaluated by means of an evaluating unit (21), wherein at least one filter (23) having at least one filter layer (25) forming a filter plane is brought into the beam path of the secondary radiation (18) and acts as a band-pass filter in dependence on an angle ? of the filter layer (25) to the secondary radiation (18) and an interfering wavelength of the secondary radiation (18) is coupled out by Bragg reflection, the angle ? of the filter layer (25) of the filter (23) is set by means of a setting apparatus (31) to reflect at least one interfering wavelength of the secondary radiation (18) by Bragg reflection, and the coupled-out wavelength of the secondary radiation (18) is detected by a second detector (32) and the sign

Abstract: A method is disclosed for selecting a radiation form, to change spatial distribution of the intensity and/or the spectrum of x-ray radiation of an x-ray source of an imaging system including a plurality of radiation form filters. The method includes acquiring a plurality of radiation absorption profiles of an examination object, of which image data is to be generated with the aid of the imaging system, in parallel with the patient axis from various directions; calculating an effective radiation absorption profile by averaging the recorded radiation absorption profiles; and selecting the radiation form filter on the basis of the effective radiation absorption profile of the examination object from a plurality of radiation form filters. An x-ray imaging system is further disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure presents systems for x-ray illumination that have an x-ray brightness several orders of magnitude greater than existing x-ray technologies. These may therefore useful for applications such as trace element detection or for micro-focus fluorescence analysis. The higher brightness is achieved in part by using designs for x-ray targets that comprise a number of microstructures of one or more selected x-ray generating materials fabricated in close thermal contact with a substrate having high thermal conductivity. This allows for bombardment of the targets with higher electron density or higher energy electrons, which leads to greater x-ray flux. The high brightness/high flux x-ray source may then be coupled to an x-ray optical system, which can collect and focus the high flux x-rays to spots that can be as small as one micron, leading to high flux density.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting small field circular collimators when connected to a linear accelerator machine (LINAC). Each small field circular collimator is provided with some uniquely identifying trait depending upon its size. The adaptor of LINAC includes sensors to detect the uniquely identifying trait of the small field circular collimator. The information from the sensor about the small field circular collimator is conveyed to the LINAC to verify that the collimator is properly installed and the correct size collimator is being used.

Abstract: The present application discloses scanner systems that have a radiation generator arranged to generate radiation to irradiate an object, a detector arranged to detect the radiation after it has interacted with the object and generate a sequence of detector data sets as the object is moved relative to the generator, and processors arranged to process each of the detector data sets thereby to generate a control output.

Abstract: A CT imaging system and a method for determining a CT collimator slit profile. The method includes determining a profile of two opposite edges of the collimator slit in a longitudinal direction thereof based on the following: a vertical distance between a focus of a radiation source to the collimator slit, a vertical distance between the focus and the radiation detector, an inclination angle between adjacent detector elements, a length of each detector element, a desired width of projection on the radiation detector by the radiation rays passing through the slit whose longitudinal edge profile is to be determined, and an offset angle of a connecting line from a point on a longitudinal center line of the slit to the focus relative to a plane passing said focus and perpendicular to the slit.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to of method linear feature detection in a structure by providing a first digital image of the structure, creating a second corresponding digital image of the structure from the first digital image and determining a direction to shift pixels of the second corresponding digital image. A pixel shift value may be input to shift pixels of the second corresponding digital image, and pixels of the second corresponding digital image are shifted by the input pixel shift value in the determined direction. A third corresponding digital image of the structure may be calculated by subtracting the second corresponding digital image of the structure from the first digital image of the structure.

Abstract: In X-ray differential phase-contrast imaging. In order to enhance the information acquired by phase-contrast imaging, an analyzer grating (34) is provided with an absorption structure (48). The latter includes a first plurality (50) of first areas (52) with a first X-ray attenuation, and a second plurality (54) of second areas (56) with a second X-ray attenuation. The second X-ray attenuation is smaller than the first X-ray attenuation, and the first and second areas are arranged periodically in an alternating manner. A third plurality (58) of third areas (60) is provided with a third X-ray attenuation, which lies in a range from the second X-ray attenuation to the first X-ray attenuation, wherein every second of the first or second areas is replaced by one of the third areas.

Abstract: An X-ray backscatter imaging system uses frequency modulated X-rays to determine depth of features within a target. An X-ray source generates X-ray radiation modulated by a frequency-modulated bias current. The X-ray radiation impinges upon and is backscattered from multiple depths within the target. A scintillating material receives the backscattered X-rays and generates corresponding photons. A photodetector, having gain modulated by the frequency modulation signal from the local oscillator, receives the photons from the scintillating material and generates an analog output signal containing phase delay information indicative of the distance travelled by the X-rays backscattered from multiple depths within the target. The analog output signal is sampled by an analog-to-digital converter to create a digital output signal. A computer processor performs a discrete Fourier transform on the digital output signal to provide target depth information based on the phase delay information.

Abstract: A collimation device for an X-ray beam, an optical device for analyzing a specimen by the scattering of an X-ray beam, and a collimator for an X-ray beam. The collimation device includes an enclosure configured to be under a vacuum or a controlled atmosphere, the enclosure including an inlet and an outlet for the X-ray beam and at least one plate made of a material having a diffracting periodic structure, the plate including two main faces and at least one flared aperture between the faces.

Abstract: A collimator for a computed tomography imaging device can include first and second leaves positioned on opposing sides of a primary radiation delivery window. The first and second leaves can include first and second gratings having a plurality of attenuating members with a plurality of secondary radiation delivery windows extending between adjacent attenuating members.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for collimation of x-ray beams. According to various embodiments, an x-ray apparatus may comprise a first rotatable disk comprising a first plurality of angled slots and a first shutter comprising a first plurality of protruding members. At least one of the first plurality of protruding members may be positioned within a first angled slot of the first plurality of angled slots, and at least one of the first plurality of protruding members may be positioned within a second angled slot of the first plurality of angled slots. The first shutter may at least partially define an x-ray collimation aperture, and the apparatus may be configured such that rotation of the first rotatable disk results in movement of the first shutter to alter a size of the x-ray collimation aperture.

Abstract: The present invention provides an X-ray optical apparatus including an X-ray reflective structure in which at least three reflective substrates are arranged with an interval and an X-ray which is incident into a plurality of X-ray passages whose both sides are put between the reflective substrates is reflected from the reflective substrate at both sides of the X-ray passage to be parallelized and emitted from the X-ray passage. When an edge of the X-ray reflective structure is an inlet of the X-ray and the other edge is an outlet of the X-ray, a pitch of the reflective substrates at the outlet is larger than a pitch at the inlet. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently parallelize the incident X-ray to be emitted with a simple structure.

Abstract: A method for determining a 4D plan for carrying out intensity-modulated radiation therapy of a target volume subject to irregular periodic motion, with a radiation therapy apparatus is provided. The method includes selecting positions of a radiation source. The number of positions is selected to be identical in all 3D radiation therapy plans. The method also includes selecting a number of respective aperture settings assigned to a respective position of the radiation source to be identical in all 3D radiation therapy plans. A geometrical, temporal, and/or dynamic restriction that restricts a change of the aperture from one aperture setting to another aperture setting is predetermined, and the 3D radiation therapy plans are determined such that the 3D radiation therapy plans fulfill predetermined restrictions for aperture settings in each case.

Abstract: An image reconstruction method for differential phase contrast imaging includes receiving data corresponding to a signal produced by an X-ray detector and corresponding to X-rays that passed through a subject and a grating system to reach the X-ray detector. The method also includes performing a fringe analysis on the received data. The fringe analysis includes a non-integer fringe fraction correction utilizing one or more adapted basis functions in the Fourier domain to determine one or more Fourier coefficients. A differential phase image of the subject is generated by utilizing the one or more Fourier coefficients.

Abstract: An X-ray system is arranged for providing X-ray exposure to a target volume. The aforesaid X-ray system comprises an X-ray source and at least one focusing lens. The provided exposure is distributed over a volume of the target in a substantially uniform manner.

Abstract: An X-ray article and method for analyzing hard X-rays which have interacted with a test system. The X-ray article is operative to diffract or otherwise process X-rays from an input X-ray beam which have interacted with the test system and at the same time provide an electrical circuit adapted to collect photoelectrons emitted from an X-ray optical element of the X-ray article to analyze features of the test system.

Abstract: An imaging system (500) includes a focal spot (508) that rotates along a path around an examination region and emits a radiation beam that traverses a field of view of the examination region and a subject or object therein. The system further includes a detector array (520) that is located opposite the radiation source, across the examination region. The detector array detects radiation traversing the field of view and outputs a signal indicative of the detected radiation. The system further includes a beam shaper that is located between the radiation source and the examination region. The beam shaper rotates with the focal spot and, relative to the focal spot, in an opposite direction of the focal spot with a same angular frequency as the rotating of the focal spot and attenuates the radiation beam which reduces a flux density across the detector array at each rotational angle of the focal spot.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a distance indication using an x-ray apparatus. According to various embodiments, an x-ray apparatus may be provided comprising an x-ray generator and a visible light generator. The apparatus may further comprise a projection member, such as a reticle, comprising a material at least partially transparent to visible light, wherein the projection member comprises an image positioned within the path of the visible light so as to project a secondary image comprising a shadow defined by the image. A LASER configured to deliver a LASER beam at an angle relative to the visible light may be provided such that the LASER beam intersects at least a portion of the secondary image at a predetermined distance from the LASER to allow a user to determine precisely a distance from the apparatus to an object to be exposed to x-ray radiation.

Abstract: A conductive substrate (18) and an etching substrate (20) are bonded to each other. An etch mask (25) is formed on the etching substrate (20) using a photolithography technique. On the etching substrate (20), grooves (20a) and X-ray transmitting sections (14b) are formed by dry etching using Bosch process. The grooves (20a) are filled with Au (27) by an electroplating method using the conductive substrate (18) as an electrode. Thus, X-ray absorbing sections (14a) are formed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for spatially modulating X-rays or X-ray pulses using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based X-ray optics. A torsionally-oscillating MEMS micromirror and a method of leveraging the grazing-angle reflection property are provided to modulate X-ray pulses with a high-degree of controllability.

Abstract: Systems and methods for scanning an item utilizing an X-ray scanner in order to facilitate a determination of whether the X-ray radiation penetrated through the entirety of the scanned item. Various embodiments comprise a conveying mechanism, an X-ray emitter, a detector, and an X-ray penetration grid (XPG). The XPG may comprise a radiopaque grid that may serve as a reference for determining whether radiation passes through the scanned item, the grid oriented such that the grid members are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the direction of travel. Such orientation may minimize or eliminate “ghosted” radiation signals included in a visual display of the radiation received by the detector. A scanned item may be oriented with the XPG such that radiation emitted by the X-ray emitter that passes through a portion of the scanned item must also pass through the XPG before being received by the detector.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for radiation system collimation and design. A plurality of channel waveguide assemblies are provided to be operatively associated with respective beam collimators having varying longitudinal bore diameters. The plurality of channel waveguide assemblies includes a plurality of guides and concentric spacers. The plurality of guides and concentric spacers include varying inner diameters that are configured to be securably nested together by decreasing inner diameters and secured within the longitudinal bores of the respective beam collimators.

Abstract: An X-ray waveguide showing a small propagation loss and having a waveguide mode with its phase controlled is provided. The X-ray waveguide including: a core for guiding an X-ray in a wavelength band that a real part of the refractive index of a material is 1 or less; and a cladding for confining the X-ray in the core, in which: the X-ray is confined in the core by total reflection at a interface between the core and the cladding; in the core multiple materials having different real parts of the refractive index are periodically arranged; and a waveguide mode of the X-ray waveguide is such that the number of antinodes or nodes of an electric field intensity distribution or a magnetic field intensity distribution of the X-ray coincides with the number of periods of the periodic structure in a direction perpendicular to a waveguiding direction of the X-ray in the core.

Abstract: Use of a reference detector to characterize an X-ray emission focal spot is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the reference detector may contain one or more openings or apertures that may be used to acquire localized X-ray intensity information used to derive the focal spot characteristics. In certain embodiments, the reference detector is on the source-side of the imaged volume.

Abstract: A cassette holder of an imaging stand is provided with first and second catch members for catching and holding an electronic cassette from above and below. The first catch member has a multi connector connected to a multi terminal of the electronic cassette. The multi connector is offset with respect to a center line of an imaging surface of the cassette holder. The multi terminal is offset with respect to a center line of an irradiation surface of the electronic cassette in the same direction by the same amount as those of the multi connector. In a state where said electronic cassette mounted on a tray is loaded into the cassette holder, the center line of the irradiation surface coincides with the center line of the imaging surface.

Abstract: To provide an X-ray waveguide which: shows a small propagation loss of an X-ray; has a waveguide mode with its phase controlled; does not deteriorate owing to oxidation; and can be easily produced, an X-ray waveguide, including: a core for guiding an X-ray in such a wavelength band that a real part of the refractive index of a material is 1 or less; and a cladding for confining the X-ray in the core, in which: the core has a one-dimensional periodic structure containing multiple materials having different real parts of the refractive index; the multiple materials include one of an organic material, a gas, and a vacuum, and an inorganic material; and the core and the cladding are formed so that the critical angle for total reflection at an interface between the core and the cladding is larger than a Bragg angle resulting from a periodicity of the one-dimensional periodic structure, is realized.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus for amplifying scattering intensity during tSAXS measurements. The apparatus includes an enhancement grating object and a placement mechanism. The enhancement grating object is positioned within a longitudinal coherence length of an incident X-ray from a target object. The placement mechanism is capable of placing the enhancement grating object with nanometer precision with respect to the target object in both a lateral and a longitudinal directions.

Abstract: A source grating includes a first sub-source grating, where first transmitting portions which transmit X-rays, and first shielding portions which shield X-rays, are alternately arranged in a first direction; and a second sub-source grating, where second transmitting portions which transmit X-rays, and second shielding portions which shield X-rays, are alternately arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The first sub-source grating is curved so that two positions in the curve align in the first direction. The second sub-source grating is curved so that two positions in the curve align in the second direction.

Abstract: There is provided a device including an X-ray output apparatus including an X-ray output section including a plurality of X-ray sources and outputting parallel X-ray beams, a shield section capable of changing a position which blocks the output parallel X-ray beams and permeate the parallel X-rays beams, and a control section controlling an output of the parallel X-ray beams at the X-ray output section and the position which permeates the parallel X-ray beams at a shield section.

Abstract: An X-ray waveguide system capable of forming X-rays having spatial coherence of a large space region has an X-ray collecting optical element which collects incident X-rays; and an X-ray waveguide containing a core and claddings and wave-guiding a collected X-ray collected by the X-ray collecting optical element, in which the core of the X-ray waveguide is a periodic structure body in which a plurality of basic structures containing substances different in the refractive-index real part are periodically disposed, the total reflection critical angle of the collected X-ray at the interface of the core and the cladding is equal to or larger than the Bragg angle corresponding to the period of the core, and the collection angle of the collected X-ray entering the X-ray waveguide is as large as or larger than the double of the Bragg angle.

Abstract: There is described a radiological image capturing apparatus, which makes it possible to obtain a good X ray image in which contrast of the peripheral portions are emphasized by employing the Talbot interferometer method and the Talbot-Lau interferometer method. The apparatus is provided with an X-ray tube, a multi-slit member, a first diffraction grating, a second diffraction grating and an X-ray detector. The second diffraction grating contacts the X-ray detector. A distance L between the multi-slit element and the first diffraction grating is set to be not less than 0.5 m, a distance Z1 between the first diffraction grating and the second diffraction grating is set to be not less than 0.05 m, and a slit interval distance d0 of the multi-slit element is set to be not less than 2 ?m. With the settings, the above-mentioned good X-ray image can be obtained by using the Talbot-Lau interferometer system.

Abstract: A method for determining a beam parameter of an unflattened photon beam generated by an accelerator includes measuring radiation dose values in the plane perpendicular to the beam propagation direction, determining the extension of the unflattened beam using a definition of the beam extension of a flattened beam. The method also includes normalizing the radiation dose values, such that essentially the same value for the extension of the unflattened beam is obtained as would be obtained if the beam was flattened and determining the beam parameter of the unflattened beam using a beam parameter definition of a flattened beam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing Bragg-diffraction leveraged modulation of X-ray pulses using MicroElectroMechanical systems (MEMS) based diffractive optics. An oscillating crystalline MEMS device generates a controllable time-window for diffraction of the incident X-ray radiation. The Bragg-diffraction leveraged modulation of X-ray pulses includes isolating a particular pulse, spatially separating individual pulses, and spreading a single pulse from an X-ray pulse-train.

Abstract: An x-ray tube is described that includes components for increasing x-ray image clarity in the presence of a moving x-ray source by modifying focal spot characteristics, including focal spot size and focal spot position. In a first arrangement a static focal spot is moved in a direction contrary to the movement of the x-ray source so that an effective focal spot position is essentially fixed in space relative to one of the imaged object and/or detector during a tomosynthesis exposure. In a second arrangement, the size of the static focal spot is increased, and the resulting increase in tube current reduces the exposure time and concomitant blur effect. The methods may be used alone or in combination; for example an x-ray tube with a larger, moveable static focal spot will result in a system that fully utilizes the x-ray tube generator, provides a high quality image with reduced blur and, due to the decrease in exposure time, may scan the patient more quickly.

Abstract: A radiation source for generating EUV from a stream of molten fuel droplets by LPP (Laser Produced Plasma) or (Dual Laser Plasma) has a fuel droplet generator arranged to provide a stream of droplets of fuel and at least one laser configured to vaporize at least some of the droplets of fuel, whereby radiation is generated. The fuel droplet generator has a nozzle, a feed chamber, and a reservoir, with a pumping device arranged to supply a flow of fuel in molten state from the reservoir through the feed chamber and out of the nozzle as a stream of droplets. The feed chamber has an outer face in contact with a drive cavity filled with a liquid, and the liquid is driven to oscillate by a vibrator with the oscillation transmissible to the molten fuel in the feed chamber from the outer face of the feed chamber through the liquid.