WO2021173122A1 - Systèmes d'attaque multiplexés et procédés pour une source de rayons x à émetteurs multiples - Google Patents

Systèmes d'attaque multiplexés et procédés pour une source de rayons x à émetteurs multiples Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021173122A1
WO2021173122A1 PCT/US2020/019726 US2020019726W WO2021173122A1 WO 2021173122 A1 WO2021173122 A1 WO 2021173122A1 US 2020019726 W US2020019726 W US 2020019726W WO 2021173122 A1 WO2021173122 A1 WO 2021173122A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ray source
wires
nodes
address lines
electron guns
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Application number
PCT/US2020/019726
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English (en)
Inventor
Paul De Antonis
Edward James Morton
Russell David Luggar
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Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Application filed by Rapiscan Systems, Inc. filed Critical Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
Priority to PCT/US2020/019726 priority Critical patent/WO2021173122A1/fr
Priority to GB2213724.4A priority patent/GB2608335B/en
Publication of WO2021173122A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021173122A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N23/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00
    • G01N23/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material
    • G01N23/04—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
    • G01N23/046—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material using tomography, e.g. computed tomography [CT]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05G—X-RAY TECHNIQUE
    • H05G1/00—X-ray apparatus involving X-ray tubes; Circuits therefor
    • H05G1/08—Electrical details
    • H05G1/70—Circuit arrangements for X-ray tubes with more than one anode; Circuit arrangements for apparatus comprising more than one X ray tube or more than one cathode
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05G—X-RAY TECHNIQUE
    • H05G1/00—X-ray apparatus involving X-ray tubes; Circuits therefor
    • H05G1/08—Electrical details
    • H05G1/085—Circuit arrangements particularly adapted for X-ray tubes having a control grid

Definitions

  • the present specification is related generally to the field of Real-time Tomography. More specifically, the present specification is related to multiplexed drive systems and methods for uniquely addressing each of a plurality of cathodes or electron guns of a multi-emitter X-ray source.
  • Real-time Tomography is a new generation of X-ray systems that implement multi-emitter X-ray sources with more than one cathode or electron gun and one or more high voltage anodes within a single vacuum tube, envelope or X-ray tube.
  • a multi emitter X-ray source allows non- sequential motion of an X-ray beam about an object under inspection through the use of multiple grid controlled cathodes which can be excited in any chosen sequence, the electron beam from each source being directed to irradiate anode sections which are distributed around the object under inspection.
  • This allows non-helical source trajectories to be constructed at high speeds consistent with the requirements for dynamic and high-throughput object imaging.
  • the rapid switching of cathodes under electrostatic control enables a fast movement of the effective focal spot of the X-ray tube and rapid generation of sets of tomographic X-ray scan data without the use of moving parts.
  • FIG 1A shows a prior art multi-emitter X-ray source 10 in which an anode 32 is irradiated by a set of electron guns 18, wherein the entire assembly is located within a vacuum envelope 25.
  • FIG IB shows a prior art electron gun design for the multi-emitter X-ray source 10 comprising a dispenser cathode 150 heated by a filament 155. Electrons present at the heated surface of the dispenser cathode 150 may be extracted by applying a potential difference between the cathode 150 and an adjacent grid 160. One or more focus electrodes (170, 180) shape an extracted electron beam as it passes into a high electric field region between the focus electrodes 170, 180 and the anode. Together, these elements form the electron gun 18. A number of electrical feed-throughs 190 exchange electrical signals to circuitry on a printed circuit board 195 outside the vacuum envelope 25.
  • the circuitry is designed to provide power to the filament 155 in order to heat up the dispenser cathode 150 and to provide grid switching signals to apply a suitable potential difference between the grid 160 and the surface of the dispenser cathode 150 to enable a current to flow into the region between the focus electrodes 170, 180.
  • the prior art multi-emitter X-ray source uses a direct drive system to address each of a plurality of cathodes or electron guns in any arbitrary scan sequence.
  • the required minimum number of electrical vacuum feed-throughs for the direct drive method is equal to the number of cathodes or electron guns.
  • another set of feed-through pins is required to provide power to cathode heaters.
  • a prior art multi-emitter X-ray source having 768 cathodes or electron guns typically uses a minimum of 768 electrical vacuum feed-throughs through the wall of the X-ray tube to address each of the individual cathodes.
  • another 48 feed-through pins are required to provide power to the cathode heaters.
  • a provision of this number of vacuum feed-through pins requires: a) 24 32-way cathode feed-throughs, b) 24 large pull-through apertures in a pressed vacuum envelope, and c) 24 precision welding operations to install the feed-throughs parts within the envelope.
  • each vacuum feed-through no matter how well constructed, has a probability of failure.
  • the present specification is directed toward a multi-emitter X-ray source comprising a plurality of X-ray source modules wherein each of the plurality of X-ray source modules comprises a sub-set of a plurality of electron guns.
  • the plurality of X-ray source modules are placed end-to-end to form a continuous locus of the plurality of electron guns around a full length of the multi-emitter X-ray source.
  • the plurality of X-ray source modules are ‘m’ and each of these modules comprises a sub-set of ‘n’ electron guns, then there are a total of n x m electron guns in the multi-emitter X-ray source.
  • each of the total of n x m electron guns is connected to an active circuit - an AND gate - that is activated by one of a plurality of X-address lines and one of a plurality of Y-address lines acting together.
  • the plurality of X-address lines are ‘m’ in number and the plurality of Y-address lines are ‘n’ in number
  • one of the ‘m’ X- address lines is coupled to a first input of the AND gate and one of the ‘n’ Y-address lines is coupled to a second input of the AND gate at each of the n x m electron guns. Consequently, simultaneous activation of an X-address line and a Y-address line at a particular electron gun will result in electron emission from that electron gun.
  • an X-ray source comprising: an X-ray tube comprising: a vacuum tube; a first plurality of wires extending in a first direction through the vacuum tube; a second plurality of wires extending in a second direction through the vacuum tube, wherein the first plurality of wires and second plurality of wires intersect to form a plurality of nodes; and a plurality of electron guns enclosed in the vacuum tube, wherein each of the plurality of electron guns is in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of nodes; and a controller configured to modulate a state of one or more of the plurality of nodes to thereby activate or deactivate a corresponding one or more of the plurality of electron guns.
  • each of the first plurality of wires intersects one of the second plurality of wires perpendicularly.
  • the state of one of the plurality of nodes comprises at least one of on or off.
  • the controller when the controller turns a state of one of the plurality of nodes to on, one of the plurality of electron guns in electrical communication with the one of the plurality of nodes is activated.
  • the controller when the controller turns a state of one of the plurality of nodes to off, one of the plurality of electron guns in electrical communication with the one of the plurality of nodes is deactivated.
  • the X-ray source further comprises a plurality of feed throughs in the vacuum tube, wherein each of the plurality of feed throughs is configured to receive and pass into the vacuum tube one or more of the first plurality of wires or the second plurality of wires.
  • the controller further comprises a first plurality of switches configured to control a state of each of the first plurality of wires, wherein said first plurality of switches is positioned outside the vacuum tube.
  • the controller further comprises a second plurality of switches configured to control a state of each of the second plurality of wires, wherein said second plurality of switches is positioned outside the vacuum tube.
  • the controller modulates a state of one of the plurality of nodes by closing a first switch in electrical communication with a first wire of the first plurality of wires and closing a second switch in electrical communication with a second wire of the second plurality of wires, wherein the first wire and second wire define one of the plurality of nodes.
  • the controller modulates a state of one of the plurality of nodes by opening a first switch in electrical communication with a first wire of the first plurality of wires and opening a second switch in electrical communication with a second wire of the second plurality of wires, wherein the first wire and second wire define one of the plurality of nodes.
  • each of the plurality of electron guns is coupled to one or more AND gates, wherein each of the one or more AND gates comprises a first diode, a second diode and a resistor, and wherein each of the one or more AND gates is positioned inside the vacuum tube.
  • a total number of the first plurality of wires is between 2 and 200 and a total number of the second plurality of wires is between 2 and 200.
  • a total number of the plurality of nodes is between 4 and 4000 and a total number of the plurality of electron guns is equal to the total number of the plurality of nodes.
  • each of the plurality of electron guns is uniquely controlled by only one of the plurality of nodes.
  • the present specification is directed towards an X-ray source comprising: an enclosure; one or more electron guns enclosed in the enclosure; a first set of one or more wires extending in a first direction through the enclosure; at least one switch, of a first plurality of switches, in electrical communication with each wire of the first set of one or more wires, wherein each of the first plurality of switches is configured to uniquely control one wire of the first set of one or more wires; a second set of one or more wires extending in a second direction through the enclosure, wherein each wire of the first set of one or more wires and each wire of the second set of one or more wires intersect to form a plurality of nodes; and at least one switch, of a second plurality of switches, in electrical communication with each wire of the second set of one or more wires, wherein each of the second plurality of switches is configured to uniquely control one wire of the second set of one or more wires and wherein each of the plurality of electron guns is in electrical communication with one of the plurality of nodes
  • each wire of the first set of one or more wires intersects each wire of the second set of one or more wires perpendicularly.
  • the state of one of the plurality of nodes comprises at least one of on or off.
  • the state of one of the plurality of nodes consists of on or off.
  • one of the plurality of electron guns uniquely modulated by said one of the plurality of nodes is activated.
  • one of the plurality of electron guns uniquely modulated by said one of the plurality of nodes is deactivated.
  • the X-ray source further comprises a plurality of feed throughs in the enclosure, wherein each of the plurality of feed throughs is configured to receive and pass into the enclosure one or more of the first set of one or more wires or the second set of one or more wires.
  • each of the first plurality of switches and the second plurality of switches are positioned outside the enclosure.
  • the state of one of the plurality of nodes is modulated by closing a switch of the first plurality switches in electrical communication with a first wire of the first set of one or more wires and closing a switch of the second plurality of switches in electrical communication with a second wire of the second set of one or more wires, wherein the first wire of the first set of one or more wires and the second wire of the second set of one or more wires together define the one of the plurality of nodes.
  • the state of one of the plurality of nodes is modulated by opening a switch of the first plurality switches in electrical communication with a first wire of the first set of one or more wires and opening a switch of the second plurality of switches in electrical communication with a second wire of the second set of one or more wires, wherein the first wire of the first set of one or more wires and the second wire of the second set of one or more wires together define the one of the plurality of nodes.
  • each of the plurality of electron guns is coupled to one or more AND gates, wherein each of the one or more AND gates comprises a first diode, a second diode and a resistor, and wherein each of the one or more AND gates is positioned inside the enclosure.
  • a total number of the first set of one or more wires is between 2 and 200 and a total number of the second set of one or more wires is between 2 and 200.
  • a total number of the plurality of nodes is between 4 and 4000 and a total number of the plurality of electron guns is equal to the total number of the plurality of nodes.
  • the enclosure has an internal pressure level below atmospheric pressure.
  • the enclosure has an internal pressure level below 1 atm.
  • the present specification discloses an X-ray source comprising: a vacuum housing; a plurality of electron guns; a plurality of modules, wherein each of the plurality of modules comprises one or more of the plurality of electron guns and wherein the plurality of modules are placed end-to-end to form a continuous locus of the plurality of electron guns within the vacuum housing; a first plurality of address lines extending through the vacuum housing; a second plurality of address lines extending through the vacuum housing, wherein the first plurality of address lines and the second plurality of address lines intersect at a plurality of nodes, wherein each of the plurality of electron guns is in electrical communication with one of the plurality of nodes such that a state of each of the plurality of electron guns is uniquely controlled by one of the first plurality of address lines and one of the second plurality of address lines; a first multi-pin vacuum feed-through containing the first plurality of address lines; and a second multi-pin vacuum feed-through containing the second plurality of address lines.
  • the state of each of the plurality of electron guns comprises on or off.
  • the first plurality of address lines comprise a ‘nf number of address lines
  • the second plurality of address lines comprise a ‘n’ number of address lines
  • the plurality of nodes comprise ‘n x nf nodes
  • the plurality of electron guns comprise ‘n x nf electron guns.
  • n 32.
  • the first multi-pin vacuum feed-through contains a ‘m’ number of address lines and the second multi-pin vacuum feed-through contains a ‘n’ number of address lines such that ‘n + m’ number of feed-throughs penetrate a wall of the vacuum housing.
  • n 32.
  • each of the plurality of modules has associated common grid support electrodes.
  • each of the first plurality of address lines is coupled to one of a first plurality of switches and each of the second plurality of address lines is coupled to one of a second plurality of switches and wherein the first plurality of switches and the second plurality of switches are positioned outside the vacuum housing.
  • an electron gun of the plurality of electron guns is activated by closing one of the first plurality of switches and one of the second plurality of switches respectively coupled to one of the first plurality of address lines and one of the second plurality of address lines associated with said electron gun.
  • each of the plurality of electron guns is connected to one of a plurality of AND gates, wherein each of the plurality of AND gates are positioned within the vacuum housing, and wherein each of the plurality of AND gates is controlled by modulating a state of one of the first plurality of address lines and one of the second plurality of address lines.
  • each of the plurality of AND gates comprises a first diode, a second diode and a resistor.
  • a total number of the first plurality of address lines is between 2 and 200 and a total number of the second plurality of address lines is between 2 and 200.
  • a total number of the plurality of nodes is between 4 and 4000 and a total number of the plurality of electron guns is equal to the total number of the plurality of nodes.
  • FIG. 1 A illustrates a prior art multi-emitter X-ray source
  • FIG. IB shows a prior art electron gun design for the multi-emitter X-ray source
  • FIG. 2A illustrates a plurality of cathodes (within respective electron guns) addressed by a Module-Cathode addressing system, in accordance with some embodiments of the present specification
  • FIG. 2B illustrates an AND gate coupled to each of the plurality of cathodes of FIG. 2A, in accordance with some embodiments of the present specification
  • FIG. 3A illustrates an arrangement of an electron gun or cathode assembly and its diode equivalent for a prior art multi-emitter X-ray source
  • FIG. 3B illustrates a direct drive system as a diode equivalent circuit in a prior art multi emitter X-ray source
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a multiplexed drive system, in accordance with some embodiments of the present specification.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a multiplexed drive system of an electron gun or cathode assembly, in accordance with some embodiments of the present specification.
  • the present specification discloses a multiplexed drive system comprising a plurality of X-address lines and a plurality of Y-address lines to uniquely address each of a plurality of cathodes within individual electron guns encapsulated in a vacuum housing, tube or envelope of a multi-emitter X-ray source.
  • the plurality of X-address lines may also be interchangeably referred to as row address lines.
  • the plurality of X-address lines may also be interchangeably referred to as column address lines.
  • each of the plurality of cathodes is positioned at an intersection of an X-address line and a Y-address line.
  • Each of the plurality of cathodes is uniquely enabled/disabled (switched on/off) by using an AND gate (virtual or real) at each of the plurality of intersections.
  • use of the multiplexed drive results in a significant reduction in the number of vacuum feed-throughs required to drive the plurality of cathodes compared to the number of vacuum feed-throughs required for the same plurality of cathodes in prior art multi emitter X-ray sources.
  • each of the words “comprise” “include” and “have”, and forms thereof, are not necessarily limited to members in a list with which the words may be associated. It should be noted herein that any feature or component described in association with a specific embodiment may be used and implemented with any other embodiment unless clearly indicated otherwise.
  • control functionalities described herein including the activation or deactivation of current through or to any wires, nodes, and/or electron guns, are effectuated through a controller.
  • the controller may comprise a processor, memory, and/or any of the specifically designated hardware components described herein, as required to achieve the described functions.
  • the controller may be centralized onto a single board or distributed among a plurality of components that are physical separate, but in electrical and/or data communication with each other.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates a plurality of cathodes 205 (within respective electron guns) enabled by a Module-Cathode addressing system 200, in accordance with some embodiments of the present specification.
  • the system 200 comprises a first plurality of electrically conductive address lines 210 (also referred to as the X-address or Module address lines) extending in a first direction and a second plurality of electrically conductive address lines 215 (also referred to as the Y-address or Cathode address lines) extending in a second direction.
  • the first and second plurality of electrically conductive address lines 210, 215 are enclosed in a vacuum tube, housing or envelope 220 (also referred to as a multi-emitter X-ray source 220) with the address lines 210, 215 extending through the vacuum tube, housing or envelope 220.
  • the multi-emitter X-ray source 220 comprises a plurality of X-ray source modules 230 wherein each of the plurality of X-ray source modules 230 comprises a sub-set of a plurality of electron guns (with respective cathodes 205).
  • each of the plurality of X-ray source modules 230 comprises a sub-set of a plurality of electron guns (with respective cathodes 205).
  • the plurality of X-ray source modules 230 are ‘m’ and each of these modules 230 comprises a sub-set of ‘n’ electron guns (or cathodes 205)
  • the plurality of X-ray source modules 230 are placed end-to-end to form a continuous locus of the plurality of electron guns around a full length of the multi-emitter X-ray source 220.
  • the X and Y-address lines 210, 215 intersect each other at a plurality of address nodes. Each of the plurality of address nodes is connected to one of the plurality of cathodes 205.
  • the X-address lines 210 are ‘m’ in number and the Y-address lines 215 are ‘n’ in number, these enable n x m cathodes positioned at n x m address nodes.
  • a total of 32 x 24 768 cathodes (of respective electron guns) can be enabled or controlled.
  • a range of 4 to 4000 electron guns are individually and uniquely addressed by the Module and Cathode address lines 210, 215 wherein the number of the Module address lines 210 is in a range of 2 to 200, and every increment therein, and the number of the Cathode address lines 215 is in a range of 2 to 200, and every increment therein.
  • a specific cathode 205 is enabled only when both Module and Cathode address lines 210, 215 associated with and feeding that cathode 205 are enabled.
  • AND gates 225 are included at the cathode positions 205 such that each AND gate 225 (at each cathode position 205) connects to one Module address line 210 and one Cathode address line 215.
  • each of the electron guns associated with the respective cathode positions 205 is connected to an active circuit - an AND gate 225 - that is activated, enabled or controlled by two independent address lines 210, 215 acting together.
  • one of the ‘m’ X-address lines 210 is coupled to a first input of the AND gate 225 and one of the ‘n’ Y-address lines 215 is coupled to a second input of the AND gate 225 at each electron gun associated with the respective cathode positions 205. Consequently, simultaneous activation of an X-address line 210 and a Y-address line at a particular electron gun will result in electron emission from that electron gun.
  • all of the first plurality of ‘m’ Module address lines 210 may be contained in a first multi-pin vacuum feed-through while all of the second plurality of ‘n’ Cathode address line 215 may be contained in a second multi -pin vacuum feed-through.
  • the ‘m’ Module address lines 210 may be distributed over two or more multi-pin feed-throughs and the ‘n’ Cathode address lines 215 may also be distributed over two or more multi-pin feed-throughs.
  • n + m feed-throughs penetrating the wall of the vacuum tube or envelope 220 to control a set of n x m cathodes 205 contained in the tube or envelope 220. It should be appreciated that, in various embodiments, the n + m number of feed throughs can be arranged around the vacuum tube or envelope 220 in any convenient and logical manner that would be evident to persons of ordinary skill in the art.
  • a plurality of Module address and Cathode address lines 210, 215 along with a plurality of AND gates 225 at a plurality of junctions of the Module and Cathode address lines 210, 215 uniquely address and enable / disable (that is, switch on/off) any cathode and its associated electron gun, from the plurality of cathodes 205 and their associated electron guns.
  • Use of uniquely addressable cathodes 205, in multi-emitter X-ray sources, has a plurality of advantages such as, for example: a) a significant reduction in the number of vacuum feed throughs for a given number of cathodes compared to prior art multi-emitter X-ray sources where the total number of feed-throughs required are typically equal to the total number of cathodes.
  • a plurality of AND gates must exist (one for each cathode) within an X-ray tube, vacuum tube or envelope of a multi-emitter X- ray source. It should be appreciated, that the plurality of AND gates will be subjected to all processes required to manufacture a multi-emitter X-ray source tube - that is UHV (Ultra High Voltage) and a 450°C bake-out (non-functioning). During a lifetime of the multi-emitter X-ray source tube the AND gates will be subjected to very high radiation levels, flash-over events and moderately high temperatures ( ⁇ 100°C). In addition, the AND gates themselves should not contaminate the UHV interior of the multi-emitter X-ray source tube with particulates or release elements detrimental to the dispenser cathodes or electron guns.
  • Switch AND gate (a ‘virtual AND gate )
  • the AND gate function is enabled using a plurality of switches.
  • switches are electrical components that can make or break an electrical circuit, interrupting the current or diverting it from one conductor to another.
  • FIG. 3A illustrates an arrangement of an electron gun or cathode assembly 300 and its diode equivalent 305 for a prior art multi-emitter X-ray source.
  • the assembly 300 comprises a cathode 310 and an anode 325.
  • a grid support electrode 315 is positioned proximate the cathode 310 while a focus electrode 320 is positioned distal from the cathode 310 and beyond the grid support electrode 315 with reference to the cathode 310.
  • switching on of a beam 330 of electrons (emanating from the cathode 310) to impinge upon the anode 325 is affected by modulating the potential of the cathode 310 from a positive value, say +20 V, to a negative value, say -100V, with respect to the grid support electrode 315 that is earthed while maintaining the anode 325 at a high positive value, say 160V, with respect to the cathode 310.
  • cathode-grid combination of the assembly 300 effectively behaves as the diode 305 which needs to be forward biased in order to conduct.
  • the grid support electrode 315 is permanently connected to earth.
  • An equivalent diode configuration 350 of FIG. 3B, comprising the plurality of equivalent cathode-grid diodes 305 having one common earthed grid support electrode 315, is also referred to as a direct drive arrangement.
  • the configuration 350 does not enable a multiplexed drive of the present specification due to the commonality of the grid support electrode 315.
  • the common grid support electrode 315 needs to be isolated from earth and subdivided into a plurality of separate or discrete grid support electrodes, in accordance with some embodiments.
  • a number of the plurality of separate or discrete grid support electrodes Gn is equal to the number of Module address lines. For example, referring back to FIG. 2A, if the number of Module address lines 210 is ‘m’ (say, 24) then the plurality of separate or discrete electrodes G n will also be ‘m’ (that is, 24).
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a multiplexed drive system 400 using a plurality of discrete grid support electrodes G n , in accordance with some embodiments of the present specification.
  • the arrangement 400 shows a plurality of diodes 405 each representative of a cathode-grid combination (such as, of each of the cathode 205 of FIG. 2A).
  • Each of a first plurality of switches 410 m is incorporated in each of a first plurality of Module address lines 410 (or X- address lines) and each of a second plurality of switches 420 n is incorporated in each of a second plurality of Cathode address lines 420 (or Y-address lines).
  • the AND function is enabled from the switches 410 m and 420 n being activated in series. It should also be appreciated that, in embodiments, the first and second plurality of switches 410 m and 420 n lie outside the vacuum tube or envelope 430.
  • 24 switches 410i to 410 24 are incorporated in 24 Module address lines 410 while 32 switches 420i to 420 32 are incorporated in 32 Cathode address lines 420.
  • All cathodes at the intersection of a Module address line 410 with all of the plurality of Cathode address lines 420 have a common grid support electrode G n (also referred to as a discrete electrode).
  • G n also referred to as a discrete electrode
  • the first Module address line 410 xi intersects the 32 Cathode address lines 420 yi to 420 y32 for a group of 32 cathodes 4051 each of which can be addressed as C (1, 1), C (1, 2) up to C(l, 32).
  • This group of 32 cathodes 405i has a common grid support electrode Gi.
  • the twenty -fourth Module address line 410 X24 intersects the 32 Cathode address lines 420 yi to 420 y32 for a group of 32 cathodes 405 24 each of which can be addressed as C(24, 1), C(24, 2) up to C(24, 32).
  • This other group of 32 cathodes 405 24 also has a common grid support electrode G24 .
  • An AND function for a cathode is enabled by closing the switches 410 m , 420 n in the Module address and Cathode address lines associated with the cathode. For example, in order to activate cathode C (1, 32) in FIG. 4, the Module address line switch 410i and the Cathode address line switch 42O32 must be closed to complete the circuit. The addressing of the cathode C(l, 32) is unique since none of the other 767 cathodes are enabled.
  • V 0n or V 0ff potential is applied to a Module address and a Cathode address line in order to enable or switch on an associated cathode at the junction of the Module and Cathode address lines.
  • V 0n is 0V while V off is -120V. Similar V 0n and V 0ff potentials are used for the Cathode address lines.
  • Diode-resistor AND gate (a ‘real AND gate )
  • actual in vacua AND gates are used at the plurality of intersections of Module address and Cathode address lines.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a multiplexed drive system of an electron gun or cathode assembly 500 using a diode-resistor AND gate, in accordance with some embodiments of the present specification.
  • the assembly 500 comprises a cathode 512 and an anode 525.
  • a grid support electrode 515 is positioned proximate the cathode 512 while a focus electrode 522 is positioned distal from the cathode 512 and beyond the grid support electrode 515 with reference to the cathode 310.
  • switching on of a beam 530 of electrons (emanating from the cathode 512) to impinge upon the anode 525 is affected by modulating the potential of the cathode 512 from a positive value, say +20 V, to a negative value, say -100V, with respect to the grid support electrode 515 that is earthed while maintaining the anode 525 at a high positive value, say 160V, with respect to the cathode 512.
  • an AND gate 555 is formed from an arrangement comprising first and second diodes 540, 545 and a resistor 550.
  • the first and second diodes 540, 545 are silicon diodes and the resistor 550 is of a suitable metal oxide. It should be appreciated that silicon diodes are available which have been encapsulated in glass and can survive a 450°C bake-out.
  • the components of the AND gate 555 - that is, the first and second diodes 540, 545 and the resistor 550 are spot- welded to a ceramic circuit board.
  • the AND gate 555 is attached to the cathode 512.
  • an AND gate such as gate 555, is connected, attached or coupled to each of a plurality of cathodes positioned at the intersections of a plurality of Module address and Cathode address lines.
  • the first diode 540 has a Module address line 510 as input while the second diode 545 has a Cathode address line 520 as input.
  • Table A shows how the potential at the cathode 512 varies with the modulation of the Module address and Cathode address lines 510, 520:
  • the cathode 512 is enabled (to emanate the electron beam 530) only when both the Module address and Cathode address lines 510, 520 are at a negative potential (for example -100V with respect to the focus electrode 522).
  • an issue with the AND gate 555 is its power consumption.
  • the value of the resistor 550 cannot exceed 250W.
  • a voltage of 120V exists across the resistor 550 which then draws approximately 0.5A from the address lines and dissipates 60W. Therefore, in alternate embodiments, a transistor (such as, for example, JFET, MOSFET or Bipolar) is included into each gate 555 to provide current amplification.
  • An advantage of the multiplexed drive system of FIG. 4 is the reduction in the quantity of drive electronics required for an X-ray tube, vacuum tube or envelope.
  • the direct drive arrangement of FIG. 3B uses a serial repetition of drive electronics which, for most of a scan, are in the off-state.
  • a multiplexed drive system uses one set of drive electronics which is switched between modules and thus is in a continual state of use.
  • a multiplexed X-ray tube or multi-emitter X-ray source requires only two drive boards conveniently situated for ease of replacement.
  • the multiplexed drive systems of the present specification enable each of a plurality of cathodes to be addressed in any arbitrary scan sequence while using a substantially reduced number of vacuum feed-through pins.
  • a multi-emitter X-ray source comprising 768 cathodes requires 56 vacuum feed-through pins for a multiplexed drive. This number of pins could be accommodated by two feed-throughs, in some embodiments.
  • the pull-through and welding operations required to connect a feed-through to the X-ray tube vacuum envelope also drop to two. Perhaps more importantly, considering a 0.1% pin failure rate, 95% of the X-ray tubes are highly likely to be leak-tight after bake-out.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • X-Ray Techniques (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Radiation Diagnosis (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une source de rayons X améliorée. La source de rayons X améliorée comprend une enceinte, des canons à électrons, un premier ensemble de lignes d'adresses qui s'étendent à travers l'enceinte, un deuxième ensemble de lignes d'adresses qui s'étendent à travers l'enceinte, et des nœuds définis par l'intersection des premier et deuxième ensembles de lignes d'adresses. Chacun des canons à électrons est couplé à l'un des nœuds de sorte que l'état de chaque canon à électrons est commandé de manière unique par la modulation d'un état de l'une des lignes au sein du premier ensemble de lignes d'adresse et de l'une des lignes au sein du deuxième ensemble de lignes d'adresse.
PCT/US2020/019726 2020-02-25 2020-02-25 Systèmes d'attaque multiplexés et procédés pour une source de rayons x à émetteurs multiples WO2021173122A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

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PCT/US2020/019726 WO2021173122A1 (fr) 2020-02-25 2020-02-25 Systèmes d'attaque multiplexés et procédés pour une source de rayons x à émetteurs multiples
GB2213724.4A GB2608335B (en) 2020-02-25 2020-02-25 Multiplexed drive systems and methods for a multi-emitter X-ray source

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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PCT/US2020/019726 WO2021173122A1 (fr) 2020-02-25 2020-02-25 Systèmes d'attaque multiplexés et procédés pour une source de rayons x à émetteurs multiples

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6801002B2 (en) * 2000-05-26 2004-10-05 Exaconnect Corp. Use of a free space electron switch in a telecommunications network
US7135814B2 (en) * 2004-02-26 2006-11-14 Samsung Sdi Co., Ltd. Electron gun for cathode ray tube having SVM coil and cathode ray tube having the electron gun
WO2010138607A1 (fr) * 2009-05-26 2010-12-02 Rapiscan Security Productions, Inc. Système d'inspection tomographique par rayons x pour l'identification d'articles cibles spécifiques
US7903789B2 (en) * 2003-04-25 2011-03-08 Rapiscan Systems, Inc. X-ray tube electron sources
US8451974B2 (en) * 2003-04-25 2013-05-28 Rapiscan Systems, Inc. X-ray tomographic inspection system for the identification of specific target items
WO2020023603A1 (fr) * 2018-07-24 2020-01-30 Rapiscan Systems, Inc. Systèmes d'inspection de bagages et de colis à base de radar

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6801002B2 (en) * 2000-05-26 2004-10-05 Exaconnect Corp. Use of a free space electron switch in a telecommunications network
US7903789B2 (en) * 2003-04-25 2011-03-08 Rapiscan Systems, Inc. X-ray tube electron sources
US8451974B2 (en) * 2003-04-25 2013-05-28 Rapiscan Systems, Inc. X-ray tomographic inspection system for the identification of specific target items
US20180038988A1 (en) * 2003-04-25 2018-02-08 Rapiscan Systems, Inc. X-ray Tomographic Inspection System for the Identification of Specific Target Items
US7135814B2 (en) * 2004-02-26 2006-11-14 Samsung Sdi Co., Ltd. Electron gun for cathode ray tube having SVM coil and cathode ray tube having the electron gun
WO2010138607A1 (fr) * 2009-05-26 2010-12-02 Rapiscan Security Productions, Inc. Système d'inspection tomographique par rayons x pour l'identification d'articles cibles spécifiques
WO2020023603A1 (fr) * 2018-07-24 2020-01-30 Rapiscan Systems, Inc. Systèmes d'inspection de bagages et de colis à base de radar

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GB202213724D0 (en) 2022-11-02
GB2608335A (en) 2022-12-28

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