Abstract:
An x-ray head according to the invention includes an evacuated chamber in which a cathode and an anode are disposed and electrical connections from the anode and cathode extending through the wall of the evacuated chamber. The cathode may include a gated array of field emission elements, an array of solid state miniature thermionic cathodes, or ferroelectric cathodes. The anode is a metal producing x-ray radiation in response to the impact of electrons produced by the cathode. The anode may be a foil, a thin film of metal deposited on the inside surface of a wall of the evacuated chamber, or a self-supporting body of a metal that produces x-rays in response to electron impacts. The wiring may include conventional pins penetrating through and sealed to the wall of the chamber for connection to a flexible cable.