Miniature x-ray tubes with field emission cathode from carbon materials

This paper presents an overview of the design and technology of miniature x-ray sources of various types, which can be useful in portable devices for diagnostics and medical therapy, as well as in industrial applications. Several examples of the use of X-ray tubes with fieldemission cathodes are described. Classic X-ray sources are widely used in medical radiology, radiation therapy, industrial radiography, and crystallography. However, they have a number of significant disadvantages such as high power consumption, the need to cool the anode, a complex design and a large mass. Currently, the use of miniature x-ray devices for diagnostics and therapy of people and animals is expanding. Many research centers conduct intensive research on x-ray machines. The main scientific problem is to obtain an electron gun with a small beam spot size and a short focal length, which allows placing the object under study near the radiation source and a sharp enlarged image.