Patent ID: 7471769
Filing Date: 2008-12-30
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. An X-ray source comprising: a liquid metal target which flows through a system of ducts which includes a duct section whose flow cross-section is reduced relative to that of the remainder of the system of ducts; a device for pumping the liquid metal target through the system of ducts; a pressure source acting on the liquid metal target; a pressure control device to control the pressure of the liquid metal target at the area of the reduced flow cross-section; a device different from the pumping device, which constrains the pressure of the liquid metal target at the area of the reduced flow cross-section to remain essentially in a pressure range between selectable limit values of the pressure; and a sensor for measuring a pressure in the liquid metal target at the area of the reduced flow cross-section, the output signal of said sensor being suitable to control the pressure source.