Patent ID: 7127036

Claim:
A device for generating X-rays comprising: a source for emitting electrons accommodated in a vacuum space; a liquid metal for emitting X-rays as a result of the incidence of electrons; a pumping means for causing a flow of the liquid metal through a constriction where the electrons emitted by the source impinge upon the liquid metal; a window for bounding the constriction at least in part, the window being transparent to at least electrons and X-rays and serving to separate the constriction from the vacuum space; and a wall for bounding the constriction at least in part, the wall being at least substantially opposite to the window and having a taper associated therewith, wherein the constriction has a cross-sectional area relative to a flow direction that increases so that during operation in the flow direction, a decrease of a flow velocity causes a decrease of a pressure of the liquid metal in the constriction substantially corresponding to an increase of the pressure resulting from the decrease of the velocity.