Generation of continuous and pulsed diagnostic imaging x-ray radiation using a carbon-nanotube-based field-emission cathode
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- 27 June 2002
- journal article
- research article
- Published by AIP Publishing in Applied Physics Letters
- Vol. 81 (2), 355-357
- https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1492305
Abstract
X-ray radiation is widely used in medical and industrial applications. The basic design of the x-ray tube has not changed significantly in the last century. In this paper, we demonstrate that medical diagnostic x-ray radiation can be generated using a carbon nanotube (CNT)-based field-emission cathode. The device can readily produce both continuous and pulsed x-rays with a programmable wave form and repetition rate. A total emission current of 28 mA was obtained from a 0.2 cm2 area CNT cathode. The x-ray intensity is sufficient to image a human extremity at 14 kVp and 180 mAs. Pulsed x-ray with a repetition rate greater than 100 kHz was readily achieved by programming the gate voltage. The CNT-based cold-cathode x-ray technology can potentially lead to portable and miniature x-ray sources for industrial and medical applications.Keywords
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