We report a field emission x-ray source that can generate a scanning x-ray beam to image an object from multiple projection angles without mechanical motion. The key component of the device is a gated carbon nanotube field emission cathode with an array of electron emitting pixels that are individually addressable via a metal–oxide–semiconductor field effect transistor-based electronic circuit. The characteristics of this x-ray source are measured and its imaging capability is demonstrated. The device can potentially lead to a fast data acquisition rate for laminography and tomosynthesis with a simplified experimental setup.

Topics
Electronic circuits, Field effect transistors, Field emitter arrays, Vacuum tubes, Data acquisition, Electric power, Nanotubes, Geometrical optics, Electron beams, Radiography
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© 2005 American Institute of Physics.
2005
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