A compact X-ray source via fast microparticle streams

Abstract The spatiotemporal resolution of diagnostic X-ray images is limited by the erosion and rupture of conventional stationary and rotating anodes of X-ray tubes from extreme density of input power and thermal cycling of the anode material. Conversely, detector technology has developed rapidly....

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Main Authors: Rolf Behling, Christopher Hulme, Gavin Poludniowski, Panagiotis Tolias, Mats Danielsson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-11-01
Series:Communications Engineering
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-024-00323-z
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author Rolf Behling
Christopher Hulme
Gavin Poludniowski
Panagiotis Tolias
Mats Danielsson
author_facet Rolf Behling
Christopher Hulme
Gavin Poludniowski
Panagiotis Tolias
Mats Danielsson
author_sort Rolf Behling
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The spatiotemporal resolution of diagnostic X-ray images is limited by the erosion and rupture of conventional stationary and rotating anodes of X-ray tubes from extreme density of input power and thermal cycling of the anode material. Conversely, detector technology has developed rapidly. Finer detector pixels demand improved output from brilliant keV-type X-ray sources with smaller X-ray focal spots than today and would be available to improve the efficacy of medical imaging. In addition, novel cancer therapy demands for greatly improved output from X-ray sources. However, since its advent in 1929, the technology of high-output compact X-ray tubes has relied upon focused electrons hitting a spinning rigid rotating anode; a technology that, despite of substantial investment in material technology, has become the primary bottleneck of further improvement. In the current study, an alternative target concept employing a stream of fast discrete metallic microparticles that intersect with the electron beam is explored by simulations that cover the most critical uncertainties. The concept is expected to have far-reaching impact in diagnostic imaging, radiation cancer therapy and non-destructive testing. We outline technical implementations that may become the basis of future X-ray source developments based on the suggested paradigm shift.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2731-3395
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publishDate 2024-11-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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series Communications Engineering
spelling doaj-art-77532c32d3d549f995ec0f21875c84472024-11-17T12:31:01ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Engineering2731-33952024-11-01311910.1038/s44172-024-00323-zA compact X-ray source via fast microparticle streamsRolf Behling0Christopher Hulme1Gavin Poludniowski2Panagiotis Tolias3Mats Danielsson4Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Medical Imaging Department, KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyDepartment of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Space and Plasma Physics, KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyParticle Physics, Astrophysics and Medical Imaging Department, KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyAbstract The spatiotemporal resolution of diagnostic X-ray images is limited by the erosion and rupture of conventional stationary and rotating anodes of X-ray tubes from extreme density of input power and thermal cycling of the anode material. Conversely, detector technology has developed rapidly. Finer detector pixels demand improved output from brilliant keV-type X-ray sources with smaller X-ray focal spots than today and would be available to improve the efficacy of medical imaging. In addition, novel cancer therapy demands for greatly improved output from X-ray sources. However, since its advent in 1929, the technology of high-output compact X-ray tubes has relied upon focused electrons hitting a spinning rigid rotating anode; a technology that, despite of substantial investment in material technology, has become the primary bottleneck of further improvement. In the current study, an alternative target concept employing a stream of fast discrete metallic microparticles that intersect with the electron beam is explored by simulations that cover the most critical uncertainties. The concept is expected to have far-reaching impact in diagnostic imaging, radiation cancer therapy and non-destructive testing. We outline technical implementations that may become the basis of future X-ray source developments based on the suggested paradigm shift.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-024-00323-z
spellingShingle Rolf Behling
Christopher Hulme
Gavin Poludniowski
Panagiotis Tolias
Mats Danielsson
A compact X-ray source via fast microparticle streams
Communications Engineering
title A compact X-ray source via fast microparticle streams
title_full A compact X-ray source via fast microparticle streams
title_fullStr A compact X-ray source via fast microparticle streams
title_full_unstemmed A compact X-ray source via fast microparticle streams
title_short A compact X-ray source via fast microparticle streams
title_sort compact x ray source via fast microparticle streams
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-024-00323-z
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