Patent ID: 6157703
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: G21K

Abstract:
A polychromatic x-ray source comprising:an x-ray stepping beam source comprising a target assembly, said target assembly comprising electron beam illumination areas and non-illumination areas;a beam hardening sheet, said beam hardening sheet formed of a material having a first x-ray absorption quality, said beam hardening sheet comprising a plurality of areas, said plurality of areas having a second x-ray absorption quality, and said beam hardening sheet having a first position and a second position;an actuator, said actuator comprising an engagement mechanism, said engagement mechanism engaging said beam hardening sheet such that when said actuator is actuated, said engagement mechanism moves said beam hardening sheet between said first position and said second position; andwhen said beam hardening sheet is in said first position, said material having said first x-ray absorption quality is substantially aligned over said illumination areas and said plurality of areas having said second x-ray absorption quality are not in said illumination areas, and when said beam hardening sheet is in said second position, said plurality of areas having said second x-ray absorption quality are substantially aligned over said illumination areas.