X-ray source and method for more efficiently producing selectable x-ray frequencies

摘要

An x-ray tube and method of operating include a vacuum chamber vessel and a source of an electron beam inside the vacuum chamber vessel. A target disposed inside the vacuum chamber vessel includes a substrate and one or more deposits attached to the substrate. Each different deposit includes an atomic element having a different atomic number. The x-ray tube also includes a means for directing the electron beam to a selectable deposit of multiple deposits. The substrate material can be selected with better vacuum sustaining strength, x-ray transparency, melting point, and thermal conductivity than a deposit. The substrate may be cooled by an integrated cooling system. The x-ray tube allows a selectable x-ray frequency to be produced with enhanced economy of power, reduced moving parts, and reduced size. For improved bone mass applications, one of the deposits has a k-fluorescence energy less than about 53 thousand electron volts.