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MO‐D‐L100F‐02: Nanotube Based Multi‐Pixel Field Emission X‐Ray for CT and Radiotherapy
Author(s) -
Zhou O
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 2473-4209
pISSN - 0094-2405
DOI - 10.1118/1.2761221
Subject(s) - optics , field electron emission , x ray tube , carbon nanotube , pixel , cathode , x ray , scanner , dot pitch , materials science , image resolution , physics , electron , nanotechnology , electrical engineering , anode , electrode , engineering , quantum mechanics
Purpose: To develop a new field emission x‐ray source with multi‐pixel and multiplexing capability for high speed computed tomography Method and Materials: The new x‐ray source utilizes the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as the “cold cathode” to replace the thermionic cathode used in the conventional x‐ray tube. The x‐ray tube current is generated by applying an external electrical field to extract the electrons from the carbon nanotubes. By controlling the triggering signal, x‐ray radiation with programmable waveforms can be readily generated. One‐ and two‐dimensionally pixilated x‐ray source with spatially distributed focal spots is constructed by using a matrix addressable multi‐pixel CNT cathode. The electronics for controlling and integration of the x‐ray source have been demonstrated. Results: A new x‐ray source based on the CNT field emission technology has been developed. The x‐ray source is capable of generating the flux, energy and spatial resolution required for medical imaging. A micro‐focus x‐ray source with 30–50μm isotropic focal spot size has also been developed. A micro‐CT scanner using the field emission x‐ray source was constructed for imaging for small animal models with respiratory and cardiac gating capability. The results from preliminary studies will be discussed Conclusion: The CNT based field emission x‐ray source offers unique capabilities that are attractive for high speed CT imaging such as spatially distributed x‐ray pixels. It enables collection of multiple projection images from different viewing angles without mechanical motion either sequentially or simultaneously which can potentially lead to stationary gantry‐free CT scanners for high resolution and high‐speed imaging.