Patent ID: 7180981
Filing Date: 2007-02-20
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. An end window x-ray tube comprising: an evacuated housing that is sealed; an end window anode disposed in said housing comprised of a target comprising a thin foil or a plurality of thin foils; a cathode disposed in said housing which emits an electron beam, which proceeds along a beam path in said housing to strike said anode in a spot, generating a beam of x-rays which exits the housing through the end window; a power supply connected to said cathode providing a selected electron beam energy to produce a bright beam of x-rays of at least one preselected energy characteristic of the target foil or foils; wherein the electron beam energy is higher than two times and as high as 20 times the preselected energy of the k-line x-rays characteristic of the target foil or foils; and wherein the thickness of the target foil or foils is chosen to produce a bright source of generated x-rays, said thickness being at least 2.1 μm.