Directly heated thermionic surface emitter for X-ray tube has pattern of slits in emission surface for providing several meandering current paths

摘要

The thermionic surface emitter has its emission surface (1) provided with conductor paths defined by a pattern of slits (3), formed perpendicular to the main current flow in the emission surface, supported by current carrying emitter arms (2) which can be bent perpendicular to the emission surface. The slits are arranged in successive rows, with the slits in successive rows offset from one another, for providing a number of meandering current paths (4).