Study of the Microfocus X-Ray Tube Based on a Point-Like Target Used for Micro-Computed Tomography.

Rifeng Zhou,Yufang Cai,Fenglin Liu,Xiaobin Li,Xiaojian Zhou,Qinghui Zhang

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0156224

Rifeng Zhou, Yufang Cai + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0156224

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Abstract

For a micro-Computed Tomography (Micro-CT) system, the microfocus X-ray tube is an essential component because the spatial resolution of CT images, in theory, is mainly determined by the size and stability of the X-ray focal spot of the microfocus X-ray tube. However, many factors, including voltage fluctuations, mechanical vibrations, and temperature changes, can cause the size and the stability of the X-ray focal spot to degrade. A new microfocus X-ray tube based on a point-like micro-target in which the X-ray target is irradiated with an unfocused electron beam was investigated. EGS4 Monte Carlo simulation code was employed for the calculation of the X-ray intensity produced from the point-like micro-target and the substrate. The effects of several arrangements of the target material, target and beam size were studied. The simulation results demonstrated that if the intensity of X-rays generated at the point-like target is greater than half of the X-ray intensity produced on the substrate, the X-ray focal spot is determined in part by the point-like target rather than by the electron beam in the conventional X-ray tube. In theory, since it is able to reduce those unfavorable effects such as the electron beam trajectory swinging and the beam size changing for the microfocus X-ray tube, it could alleviate CT image artifacts caused by the X-ray focal spot shift and size change.

Highlights

In recent years, X-ray micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) or even Nano-CT systems have become capable of preclinical studies to provide structural information, due to their ability to achieve quantification of internal structures at submicron-to-nanometer scales
These tools are routine in many research domains such as life science, material science, environmental science, energy science, etc. [1,2].The microfocus X-ray tube is one of the key components of Micro-CT devices because the spatial resolution of the CT image is, for the most part, decided by the effective focal spot size of the X-ray tube[3,4]
We have proposed a novel concept to develop a microfocus X-ray tube based on a point-like micro-target for the purpose of reducing the micro-CT image artifacts which resulted from the X-ray focal spot shifting and focal spot size changing in the mircofocus X-ray tube

Summary

Introduction

X-ray micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) or even Nano-CT systems have become capable of preclinical studies to provide structural information, due to their ability to achieve quantification of internal structures at submicron-to-nanometer scales. These tools are routine in many research domains such as life science, material science, environmental science, energy science, etc. [1,2].The microfocus X-ray tube is one of the key components of Micro-CT devices because the spatial resolution of the CT image is, for the most part, decided by the effective focal spot size of the X-ray tube[3,4]. A Microfocus Tube Based on a Point-Like Target for Micro-CT

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