Claims
- 1. An electron beam current generating apparatus comprising:
a cathode; an anode; and a controller which independently controls an emission current from the cathode and electron energy striking the anode by controlling a voltage applied between the cathode and anode, and controlling a distance between the cathode and anode, a temperature of the cathode to a temperature above 400° Celsius, or a shining of photons on the cathode.
- 2. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 1, wherein high energy electrons bombard the anode, thereby generating radiation from the anode.
- 3. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the radiation is gamma ray radiation, x-ray radiation, ultraviolet ray radiation, or visible light radiation.
- 4. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 2, wherein radiation flux and radiation energy are controlled by said electron beam current and the electron energy.
- 5. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a distance adjuster, controlled by the controller, to adjust a distance between the cathode and the anode.
- 6. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 5, wherein the distance adjuster mechanically adjusts the distance.
- 7. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 5, wherein the distance adjuster electrically adjusts the distance.
- 8. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 7, wherein the distance adjuster is a piezoelectric material.
- 9. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric material is connected to the anode.
- 10. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric material is connected to the cathode.
- 11. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric material is connected to the anode and the cathode.
- 12. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a temperature control element, controlled by the controller, to adjust a temperature of the cathode to a predetermined temperature above 400° Celsius.
- 13. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 12, wherein the temperature control element is an electrical heater connected to the cathode.
- 14. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a photon source, controlled by the controller, to shine photons on the cathode.
- 15. An electron beam current generating apparatus comprising:
a cathode; an anode; and means for independently controlling an emission current from the cathode and electron energy striking the anode by controlling a voltage applied between the cathode and anode, and controlling a distance between the cathode and anode, a temperature of the cathode to a temperature above 400° Celsius, or a shining of photons on the cathode.
- 16. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 15, wherein high energy electrons bombard the anode, thereby generating radiation from the anode.
- 17. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 16, wherein the radiation is gamma ray radiation, x-ray radiation, ultraviolet ray radiation, or visible light radiation.
- 18. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 16, wherein radiation flux and radiation energy are controlled by said electron beam current and the electron energy.
- 19. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:
means for adjusting a distance between the cathode and the anode, wherein the means for adjusting is controlled by the means for controlling.
- 20. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:
means for adjusting a temperature of the cathode to a predetermined temperature above 400° Celsius, wherein the means for adjusting is controlled by the means for controlling.
- 21. The electron beam current generating apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:
means for optical excitation of the cathode by shining of photons on the cathode, wherein the means for optical excitation is controlled by the means for controlling.
- 22. A method for generating electron beam current comprising:
providing a cathode; providing an anode; and independently controlling an emission current from the cathode and a radiation energy between the cathode and anode by controlling a voltage applied between the cathode and anode, and controlling a distance between the cathode and anode, a temperature of the cathode to a temperature above 400° Celsius, or shining of photons on the cathode.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/679,303, entitled “X-Ray Generating Mechanism Using Electron Field Emission Cathode,” filed on Oct. 6, 2000, the entire contents of which are herein expressly incorporated by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] At least some aspects of this invention were made with Government support under the sponsorship of the Office of Naval Research, contract no. N00014-98-1-0597. The Government may have certain rights in this invention.
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09679303 |
Oct 2000 |
US |
Child |
10358160 |
Feb 2003 |
US |