Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. An X-ray beam emitter comprising: a vacuum chamber having a target window; and  an electron generator positioned within the vacuum chamber for generating electrons that are directed at the target window for forming X-rays which pass through the target window in an X-ray beam, the target window being supported by a support plate having a series of holes therethrough which allow passage of the electrons therethrough to reach the target window. 2. The emitter of  claim 1  in which the target window has a thickness which substantially prevents the passage of electrons therethrough. claim 1 3. The emitter of  claim 2  in which the electrons and X-ray beam travel in substantially the same direction. claim 2 4. The emitter of  claim 3  further comprising an irradiation region into which the X-ray beam is directed for irradiating articles. claim 3 5. The emitter of  claim 4  in which the emitter is a sterilization device where articles irradiated by the X-ray beam are sterilized. claim 4 6. An X-ray irradiation apparatus comprising: an X-ray beam system for directing at least one X-ray beam into an irradiation region, the X-ray beam system comprising at least one X-ray beam emitter, said X-ray beam emitter comprising:  a vacuum chamber having a target window; and  an electron generator positioned within the vacuum chamber for generating electrons that are directed at the target window for forming X-rays which pass through the target window as said X-ray beam, the target window being supported by a support plate having a series of holes therethrough which allow passage of the electrons therethrough to reach the target window. 7. The apparatus of  claim 6  in which the target window of the X-ray beam emitter has a thickness which substantially prevents the passage of electrons therethrough. claim 6 8. The apparatus of  claim 7  in which the electrons and X-ray beam travel in substantially the same direction. claim 7 9. The apparatus of  claim 8  in which the X-ray beam system comprises more than one X-ray beam emitter for directing X-ray beams into the irradiation region from different directions. claim 8 10. The apparatus of  claim 8  in which the X-ray beam system comprises at least three X-ray beam emitters positioned in a ring around the irradiation region, thereby forming a central irradiation chamber. claim 8 11. The apparatus of  claim 9  in which the X-ray beam system comprises six X-ray beam emitters positioned in a ring around the irradiation region and abutting each other. claim 9 12. The apparatus of  claim 10  in which the X-ray beam system comprises more than one ring of X-ray beam emitters joined together. claim 10 13. The apparatus of  claim 8  in which the apparatus is a sterilization apparatus where articles are positioned within the irradiation chamber for sterilization. claim 8 14. The apparatus of  claim 8  in which the X-ray beam system comprises at least one irradiation unit having at least one X-ray beam emitter. claim 8 15. The apparatus of  claim 14  in which the X-ray beam system comprises more than one irradiation unit joined together. claim 14 16. An X-ray sterilization apparatus comprising: an X-ray beam system for directing at least one X-ray beam into an irradiation region, the X-ray beam system comprising at least one X-ray beam emitter, said X-ray beam emitter comprising:  a vacuum chamber having a target window; and  an electron generator positioned within the vacuum chamber for generating electrons that are directed at the target window for forming X-rays which pass through the target window as said X-ray beam, said X-ray beam for sterilizing articles positioned within the irradiation zone, the target window being supported by a support plate having a series of holes therethrough which allow passage of the electrons therethrough to reach the target window. 17. A method of forming an X-ray beam emitter comprising: providing a vacuum chamber having a target window; and  positioning an electron generator within the vacuum chamber for generating electrons that are directed at the target window for forming X-rays which pass through the target window in an X-ray beam, the target window being supported by a support plate having a series of holes therethrough which allow passage of the electrons therethrough to reach the target window. 18. The method of  claim 17  further comprising providing the target window with a thickness which substantially prevents the passage of electrons therethrough. claim 17 19. The method of  claim 18  further comprising configuring the X-ray beam emitter so that the electrons and X-ray beam travel in substantially the same direction. claim 18 20. The method of  claim 19  further comprising forming an irradiation region into which the X-ray beam is directed for irradiating articles. claim 19 21. A method of forming an X-ray irradiation apparatus comprising: forming an X-ray beam system for directing at least one X-ray beam into an irradiation region, the X-ray beam system comprising at least one X-ray beam emitter; and  providing the X-ray beam emitter with a vacuum chamber having a target window, and an electron generator positioned within the vacuum chamber for generating electrons that are directed at the target window for forming X-rays which pass through the target window as said X-ray beam, the target window being supported by a support plate having a series of holes therethrough which allow passage of the electrons therethrough to reach the target window. 22. The method of  claim 21  further comprising providing the target window with a thickness which substantially prevents the passage of electrons therethrough. claim 21 23. The method of  claim 22  further comprising configuring the X-ray beam emitter so that the electrons and X-ray beam travel in substantially the same direction. claim 22 24. The method of  claim 23  further comprising providing the X-ray beam system with more than one X-ray beam emitter for directing X-ray beams into the irradiation region from different directions. claim 23 25. The method of  claim 23  further comprising providing the X-ray beam system with at least three X-ray beam emitters positioned in a ring around the irradiation region, thereby forming a central irradiation chamber. claim 23 26. The method of  claim 25  further comprising positioning six X-ray beam emitters in a ring around the irradiation region and abutting each other. claim 25 27. The method of  claim 25  further comprising forming the X-ray beam system from more than one ring of X-ray beam emitters joined together. claim 25 28. The method of  claim 23  further comprising providing the X-ray beam system with at least one irradiation unit having at least one X-ray beam emitter. claim 23 29. The method of  claim 28  further comprising joining more than one irradiation unit together to form the X-ray beam system. claim 28 30. The method of  claim 22  further comprising forming the apparatus into a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing articles positioned within the irradiation region. claim 22 31. A method of forming an X-ray sterilization apparatus comprising: forming an X-ray beam system for directing at least one X-ray beam into an irradiation region, the X-ray beam system comprising at least one X-ray beam emitter; and  providing the X-ray beam emitter with a vacuum chamber having a target window, and an electron generator positioned within the vacuum chamber for generating electrons that are directed at the target window for forming X-rays which pass through the target window as said X-ray beam, said X-ray beam for sterilizing articles positioned within the irradiation zone, the target window being supported by a support plate having a series of holes therethrough which allow passage of the electrons therethrough to reach the target window. 32. A method of forming X-rays comprising: providing a vacuum chamber having a target window;  positioning an electron generator within the vacuum chamber for generating electrons; and  directing the electrons at the target window to form X-rays which pass through the target window in an X-ray beam, the target window being supported by a support plate having a series of holes therethrough which allow passage of the electrons therethrough to reach the target window. 33. The method of  claim 32  further comprising providing the target window with a thickness which substantially prevents the passage of electrons therethrough. claim 32 34. The method of  claim 33  further comprising configuring the X-ray beam emitter so that the electrons and X-ray beam travel in substantially the same direction. claim 33