Apparatus and method of manufacturing a thermally stable cathode in an X-ray tube

摘要

An x-ray imaging system includes a detector positioned to receive x-rays, an x-ray tube configured to generate x-rays toward the detector from a focal spot surface, the x-ray tube includes a target having the focal spot surface, a cathode support arm, and a cathode attached to the cathode support arm. The cathode includes a split cathode cup having a first portion and a second portion that is separate from the first portion, the first and second portions having respective first and second emitter attachment surfaces, and a flat emitter that is attached to the first and second emitter attachment surfaces such that, when an electrical current is provided to the first portion of the cathode cup, the current passes through the flat emitter and returns through the second portion of the cathode cup such that electrons emit from the flat emitter and toward the focal spot surface.

主权项

1. An x-ray imaging system comprising:
a detector positioned to receive x-rays; an x-ray tube configured to generate x-rays toward the detector from a focal spot surface, the x-ray tube comprising:
a target having the focal spot surface;a cathode support arm; anda cathode attached to the cathode support arm, the cathode comprising:
a split cathode cup having a first portion and a second portion that is separate from the first portion, the first portion having a first emitter attachment surface and the second portion having a second emitter attachment surface; anda flat emitter that is attached to the first emitter attachment surface and to the second emitter attachment surface such that, when an electrical current is provided to the first portion of the cathode cup, the current passes through the flat emitter and returns through the second portion of the cathode cup such that electrons emit from the flat emitter and toward the focal spot surface.