DEVICE FOR GENERATING X-RAYS HAVING A LIQUID METAL ANODE
A device for generating X-rays includes at least one electron source for the emission of an electron beam that defines a plane having a predetermined width value in a width dimension and a predetermined length value in a length dimension. The width dimension is substantially perpendicular to the length dimension. The device also includes at least one window frame at least partially defining at least one liquid metal flow path. The device further includes at least one electron window coupled to the at least one window frame. The at least one electron window is positioned within the at least one liquid metal flow path and is configured to receive the electron beam. The at least one electron window emits X-rays in response to an incidence of electrons thereon. The at least one electron window includes a surface curved in at least one of the width dimension and the length dimension.
1 . A device for generating X-rays comprising:
at least one electron source for the emission of an electron beam that defines a plane having a predetermined width value in a width dimension and a predetermined length value in a length dimension, the width dimension substantially perpendicular to the length dimension;
at least one window frame at least partially defining at least one liquid metal flow path; and
at least one electron window coupled to said at least one window frame, said at least one electron window positioned within said at least one liquid metal flow path and configured to receive the electron beam, said at least one electron window emits X-rays in response to an incidence of electrons thereon, wherein said at least one electron window comprises a surface curved in at least one of the width dimension and the length dimension.
2 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said surface curved in at least one dimension comprises a substantially hyperbolic paraboloid surface.
3 . The device in accordance with claim 2 , wherein said substantially hyperbolic paraboloid surface defines a first radius of curvature in a first direction, said first radius of curvature being a function of the width of the electron beam in the first direction and an electron range of the electron beam in said at least one electron window.
4 . The device in accordance with claim 3 , wherein said substantially hyperbolic paraboloid surface further defines a second radius of curvature in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, said second radius of curvature being a function of the length of the electron beam and an electron range of the electron beam in said at least one electron window.
5 . The device in accordance with claim 3 further comprising a liquid-metal circulation system, wherein the first direction is substantially the direction of flow of a liquid-metal across said at least one electron window.
6 . The device in accordance with claim 5 , wherein said liquid-metal circulation system is a closed circuit comprising a heat removal device and a fluid transport apparatus.
7 . The device in accordance with claim 5 , wherein said liquid-metal circulation system is configured to remove heat from said at least one electron window.
8 . The device in accordance with claim 5 , wherein said at least one electron window is configured to induce turbulent flow of the liquid metal, thereby enhancing heat transfer from said at least one electron window.
9 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said at least one electron window has a thickness within a range between approximately 25% and approximately 50% of an electron range at least partially defined by said at least one electron window.
10 . The device in accordance with claim 9 , wherein said at least one electron window is fabricated from tungsten, the electron beam includes electrons having an energy of approximately 250 kilo-electron-Volts (keV), the electron range is approximately 50 micrometers (μm), and the thickness of said at least one electron window is within a range between approximately 12 μm and approximately 25 μm.
11 . An anode module for a liquid-metal anode X-ray (LIMAX) source, said anode module comprising:
a window frame at least partially defining at least one liquid metal flow path; and
an electron window coupled to said window frame, said electron window positioned within said liquid metal flow path and configured to receive the electron beam, said electron window configured to emit X-rays in response to an incidence of electrons thereon, wherein said electron window comprises a surface curved in at least one dimension, the electron beam that defines a plane having a predetermined width value in a width dimension and a predetermined length value in a length dimension, the width dimension substantially perpendicular to the length dimension.
12 . The anode module in accordance with claim 11 , wherein said surface curved in at least one direction comprises a substantially hyperbolic paraboloid surface.
13 . The anode module in accordance with claim 12 , wherein said substantially hyperbolic paraboloid surface defines a first radius of curvature in a first direction, said first radius of curvature being a function of the width of the electron beam in the first direction and an electron range of the electron beam in said electron window.
14 . The anode module in accordance with claim 13 , wherein said substantially hyperbolic paraboloid surface further defines a second radius of curvature in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, said second radius of curvature being a function of the length of the electron beam and an electron range of the electron beam in said electron window.
15 . The anode module in accordance with claim 13 , wherein the first direction is substantially the direction of flow of liquid-metal across said electron window.
16 . The anode module in accordance with claim 15 , wherein said electron window is configured to transfer heat to the liquid metal.
17 . The anode module in accordance with claim 15 , wherein said electron window is configured to induce turbulent flow of the liquid metal, thereby enhancing heat transfer from said electron window.
18 . The anode module in accordance with claim 11 , wherein said electron window has a thickness within a range between approximately 25% and approximately 50% of an electron range at least partially defined by said electron window.
19 . The anode module in accordance with claim 18 , wherein said electron window is fabricated from tungsten and is configured to be impinged with an electron bean that includes electrons having an energy of approximately 250 kilo-electron-Volts (keV), wherein the electron range within said electron window is approximately 50 micrometers (μm), and the thickness of said electron window is within a range between approximately 12 μm and approximately 25 μm.
20 . The anode module in accordance with claim 11 further comprising at least a portion of a liquid-metal conduit that cooperates with said window frame and said electron window to channel a liquid-metal stream through said anode module.