Carbon Nanotube Field Emission Micro-focus X-ray Tube

描述（由申请人提供）：这是根据2006年申请和评审员意见修订的第二阶段申请。在这个版本中，我们做了重大修改，包括：将双环阴极设计改为三环结构，增加同步门控控制工作，以及碳纳米管（CNT）阴极和X射线管的加工和制造细节。在此期间，我们在CNT X射线技术上取得了巨大进展，这使我们对这项开发的成功充满信心。 实质性的技术增长已经激发了对成像技术的新兴趣，并且它们的使用已经显著增长。高分辨率小动物成像系统已成为实验室动物研究的重要新工具。X射线成像广泛用于诊断放射学、生物医学研究和各种工业应用。为了克服现有X射线管中热电子源的不足，我们提出了一种以碳纳米管（CNT）场发射源为阴极的便携式、低成本的微焦点X射线管。在第二阶段之后，我们期望能够开发出具有以下特性的CNT场发射微焦点X射线管：（有效焦斑尺寸）：可调，有10 5 m、30 5 m、10 0 5 m三个级别;时间分辨率：可调，从0.1到10 0 ms; X射线管电流：可调，在10 0 5 m分辨率下峰值电流可达2 mA;阳极电压：40-60 KVp;同步选通控制;寿命：长达3000小时。所提出的X射线源的主要应用是用于与医学研究和诊断相关的小动物成像。 为实现这一目标，主要的研究设计和方法包括：1）在第一阶段研究的基础上，研制出分辨率为30 5 m的微焦点X射线管; 2）研制出满足第二阶段关键目标的紧凑型CNT场发射10 5 m微焦点X射线源; 3）为Aim 2的X射线源设计和组装紧凑型电子控制系统; 4）研制了符合Aim 2要求的密封便携式微焦点X射线管; 5）演示了高分辨率动态显微CT成像。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This is a revised Phase II application based on 2006 application and reviewers' comments. In this version, we made significant modifications, including: change the two rings cathode design to three rings structure, adding the synchronization gating control effort, and details of the processing and manufacturing of the carbon nanotube (CNT) cathodes and x-ray tubes. During this period, we achieved dramatic progress on the CNT x-ray technique, which makes us confident the success of this development. Substantial technological growth has spurred a new interest in imaging techniques, and their usage has grown considerably. High-resolution small animal imaging systems have emerged as important new tools for laboratory animal research. X-ray imaging is widely used in diagnostic radiology, biomedical research and a wide variety of industrial applications. We propose to design and construct a portable, low cost micro-focus x-ray tube using the carbon nanotube (CNT) field emission source as the cathode to overcome disadvantages of the hot electron sources in the present x-ray tubes. After Phase II, we expect to be able to develop the CNT field emision micro-focus x-ray tube with the following features: spatial resolution (effective focal spot size): adjustable with 10 5m, 30 5m, and 100 5m three levels; temporal resolution: adjustable, from 0.1 to 100 ms; X-ray tube current: adjustable, up to 2 mA peak current at 100 5m resolution; anode voltage: 40-60 KVp; synchronization gating control; and lifetime: up to 3000 hours. The primary application of the proposed x-ray source is for small animal imaging related medical research and diagonosis. The major research design and methods to achieve the proposed development goals include: 1) Construction of the micro-focus x-ray tube with resolution of 30 5m based on Phase I study; 2) Development of the compact CNT field emission 10 5m micro-focus x-ray source meeting key Phase II targets; 3) Design and assembly of the compact electronic control system for the x-ray source of Aim 2; 4) Construction of a sealed and portable micro-focus x-ray tube with the specifications of Aim 2; and 5) Demonstration of the high resolution dynamic micro-CT imaging.