WO2022070101A1

WO2022070101A1 - X-ray source and method for forming same

Info

Publication number: WO2022070101A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/058946
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jian Zhang
Original assignee: Ncx Corporation
Priority date: 2020-09-30
Filing date: 2021-09-29
Publication date: 2022-04-07
Also published as: TW202230419A

Abstract

An X-ray source device includes a cathode device arranged to emit an electron beam therefrom, and an anode spaced apart from the cathode device at a focal distance and arranged to receive the electron beam from the cathode device at a focal spot on a surface thereof. The anode is further arranged to oscillate about the focal spot while maintaining the focal distance from the cathode device. An associated method of forming an X-ray source device is also provided.

Description

X-RAY SOURCE AND METHOD FOR FORMING SAME

BACKGROUND

Field of the Disclosure

The present application relates to x-ray devices and, more particularly, to an X-ray source implementing an oscillating anode and a method of forming such an X-ray source.

Description of Related Art

A typical X-ray tube includes a cathode and an anode (see, e.g., FIG. 1A), wherein the cathode (e.g., a hot filament emitter, a field emission emitter, etc.) is actuated to emit electrons in the form of a beam. The anode carries a relatively high voltage (e.g., lOkV or more). Under these conditions, the electrons emitted by the cathode are accelerated by the electric field generated by the anode, and are attracted to and directed toward to the anode (e.g., as an electron beam). Upon the electrons impacting the anode (e.g., at a focal spot or focal point on the anode), X-ray radiation is generated via the impact / interaction between the electron beam and the anode. Generally, an X- ray tube has a single cathode emitting a single electron beam and a single anode. Therefore, the anode typically defines only a single focal spot or focal point of the electron beam, which usually corresponds to a fixed area on the anode (e.g., the area of the anode impacted by the electron beam).

During the electron beam-anode interaction, only about 1% of the electron energy is converted to X-ray energy. The remaining 99% of the electron energy is generally converted to thermal energy which heats the anode. When an anode is heated, the area on the anode directly impacted by the electrons (e.g., a focal spot) will experience the highest rise in temperature. As such, it is often critical to properly manage the thermal load of anode for an X-ray tube in order to mitigate the risk of damage to the anode (e.g., crystallization, cracking, melting) during operation of the X-ray tube. There have been some attempts to mitigate the risk of overheating or other damage to the anode, including anode cooling provisions and a rotating anode design (see, e.g., FIG. IB).

Generally, a rotating anode design for an X-ray tube includes a frustoconical anode rotated at several thousand rpms about its central axis during operation of the X-ray tube, with the cathode device arranged such that the electron beam interacts with the conical surface portion of the rotating anode. Because of this rotation of the anode, the heat generated by electron bombardment of the anode is distributed around the surface area of the conical portion of the anode instead of being concentrated at a stationary and smaller sized focal spot. The maximum temperature experienced by the anode in the vicinity of the focal spot is thus reduced. However, it is difficult to implement the rotating anode design, in light of the requirement that the anode be rotated smoothly and stably at thousands of rpms. In instances of, for example, a relatively large anode for multibeam X-ray source, it may be difficult or not practical or possible to rotate the entire anode at high rotational speed. Moreover, for some of applications of an X-ray tube with a moderate heat load requirement on the anode over heat limit of a stationary anode, it may not be feasible or practical in terms of technical requirements and cost to implement a rotating anode design.

Thus, there exists a need for an X-ray beam source and method of forming the same that is capable of managing the heat load of an anode for an X-ray tube, which is effective, readily implemented, and scalable. Such a solution should desirably increase the heat load capability of the anode for an X-ray tube, while minimize the risk of damage to anode due to an electron beam hot spot.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The above and other needs are met by aspects of the present disclosure which includes, without limitation, the following example embodiments and, in one particular aspect, provides an X-ray source device, comprising a cathode device arranged to emit an electron beam therefrom, and an anode spaced apart from the cathode device at a focal distance and arranged to receive the electron beam from the cathode device at a focal spot on a surface thereof. The anode is further arranged to oscillate about the focal spot while maintaining the focal distance from the cathode device.

Another example aspect provides a method of forming an X-ray source device, comprising arranging an anode in spaced apart from a cathode device at a focal distance thereof, such that the anode receives an electron beam emitted from the cathode device at a focal spot on a surface of the anode, and arranging the anode to oscillate about the focal spot while maintaining the focal distance from the cathode device.

The present disclosure thus includes, without limitation, the following example embodiments:

Example Embodiment 1: An X-ray source device, comprising a cathode device arranged to emit an electron beam therefrom; and an anode spaced apart from the cathode device at a focal distance and arranged to receive the electron beam from the cathode device at a focal spot on a surface thereof, the anode being further arranged to oscillate about the focal spot while maintaining the focal distance from the cathode device.

Example Embodiment 2: The device of any preceding example embodiment, or combinations thereof, wherein the anode is a planar member defining a plane and being obliquely oriented in relation to the electron beam received from the cathode device, and wherein the anode is arranged to oscillate in the plane of the planar member about the focal spot.

Example Embodiment 3: The device of any preceding example embodiment, or combinations thereof, wherein the anode comprises a plurality of adjacently-disposed planar portions cooperating to form a planar member defining a plane and being obliquely oriented in relation to the electron beam received from the cathode device, and wherein each planar portion is arranged to oscillate in an opposite direction in relation an adjacent planar portion, and in the plane of the planar member, about the focal spot.

Example Embodiment 4: The device of any preceding example embodiment, or combinations thereof, wherein the anode is a cylindrical member defined by a cylindrical surface and defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the anode is oriented to receive the electron beam from the cathode device on the cylindrical surface thereof, and wherein the anode is arranged to oscillate linearly along the longitudinal axis, or rotationally oscillate about the longitudinal axis, about the focal spot.

Example Embodiment 5: The device of any preceding example embodiment, or combinations thereof, wherein the anode is arranged to oscillate at a substantially equal amplitude in opposite directions about the focal spot.

Example Embodiment 6: The device of any preceding example embodiment, or combinations thereof, comprising an oscillation actuator in communication with the anode and vibration-isolated from the cathode device, the oscillation actuator being arranged to oscillate the anode in opposite directions about the focal spot while maintaining the focal distance from the cathode device.

Example Embodiment 7: The device of any preceding example embodiment, or combinations thereof, wherein interaction of the electron beam with the focal spot on the anode produces X-rays, wherein the X-rays are produced in proportion to a duration of the electron beam interacting with the focal spot, and wherein the oscillation actuator is arranged to oscillate the anode for one or more oscillation cycles during the duration the interaction of the electron beam with the focal spot.

Example Embodiment 8: The device of any preceding example embodiment, or combinations thereof, wherein the focal spot has a dimension along an oscillation direction, and wherein the oscillation actuator is arranged to oscillate the anode at an amplitude of at least one dimension of the focal spot, externally to the focal spot, in each of the opposite directions. Example Embodiment 9: The device of any preceding example embodiment, or combinations thereof, wherein the oscillation actuator is arranged to oscillate the anode at a frequency different from a resonant frequency of the anode or the cathode device.

Example Embodiment 10: A method of forming an X-ray source device, comprising arranging an anode in spaced apart from a cathode device at a focal distance thereof, such that the anode receives an electron beam emitted from the cathode device at a focal spot on a surface of the anode; and arranging the anode to oscillate about the focal spot while maintaining the focal distance from the cathode device.

Example Embodiment 11: The method of any preceding example embodiment, or combinations thereof, wherein the anode is a planar member defining a plane, and wherein arranging the anode comprises arranging the planar member to be obliquely oriented in relation to the electron beam received from the cathode device, and to oscillate in the plane of the planar member about the focal spot.

Example Embodiment 12: The method of any preceding example embodiment, or combinations thereof, wherein the anode comprises a plurality of adjacently-disposed planar portions cooperating to form a planar member defining a plane, and wherein arranging the anode comprises arranging the planar member to be obliquely oriented in relation to the electron beam received from the cathode device, and such that each planar portion is arranged to oscillate in an opposite direction in relation an adjacent planar portion, in the plane of the planar member, about the focal spot.

Example Embodiment 13: The method of any preceding example embodiment, or combinations thereof, wherein the anode is a cylindrical member defined by a cylindrical surface and defining a longitudinal axis, and wherein arranging the anode comprises arranging the cylindrical member to receive the electron beam from the cathode device on the cylindrical surface thereof, and to oscillate linearly along the longitudinal axis, or rotationally oscillate about the longitudinal axis, about the focal spot.

Example Embodiment 14: The method of any preceding example embodiment, or combinations thereof, wherein arranging the anode comprises arranging the anode to oscillate at a substantially equal amplitude in opposite directions about the focal spot.

Example Embodiment 15: The method of any preceding example embodiment, or combinations thereof, comprising arranging an oscillation actuator in communication with the anode and vibration-isolated from the cathode device, such that the oscillation actuator oscillates the anode in opposite directions about the focal spot while maintaining the focal distance from the cathode device. Example Embodiment 16: The method of any preceding example embodiment, or combinations thereof, wherein interaction of the electron beam with the focal spot on the anode produces X-rays, wherein the X-rays are produced in proportion to a duration of the electron beam interacting with the focal spot, and wherein arranging the oscillation actuator comprises arranging the oscillation actuator to oscillate the anode for one or more oscillation cycles during the duration the interaction of the electron beam with the focal spot.

Example Embodiment 17: The method of any preceding example embodiment, or combinations thereof, wherein the focal spot has a dimension along an oscillation direction, and wherein arranging the oscillation actuator comprises arranging the oscillation actuator to oscillate the anode at an amplitude of at least one dimension of the focal spot, externally to the focal spot, in each of the opposite directions.

Example Embodiment 18: The method of any preceding example embodiment, or combinations thereof, wherein arranging the oscillation actuator comprises arranging the oscillation actuator to oscillate the anode at a frequency different from a resonant frequency of the anode or the cathode device.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two, three, four, or more features or elements set forth in this disclosure, regardless of whether such features or elements are expressly combined or otherwise recited in a specific embodiment description herein. This disclosure is intended to be read holistically such that any separable features or elements of the disclosure, in any of its aspects and embodiments, should be viewed as intended, namely to be combinable, unless the context of the disclosure clearly dictates otherwise.

It will be appreciated that the summary herein is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example aspects so as to provide a basic understanding of the disclosure. As such, it will be appreciated that the above described example aspects are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. It will be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure encompasses many potential aspects, some of which will be further described below, in addition to those herein summarized. Further, other aspects and advantages of such aspects disclosed herein will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1A schematically illustrates a prior art example of an X-ray tube structure including a single cathode and a single stationary anode;

FIG. IB schematically illustrates a prior art example of an X-ray tube structure including a single cathode and a single rotating anode;

FIGS. 2 A and 2B schematically illustrate an X-ray tube structure including a single cathode and a single anode, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the anode is a planar member defining a plane and wherein the anode is arranged to oscillate in the plane of the planar member;

FIG. 3A schematically illustrates a prior art example of a stationary anode of an X-ray source and the focal spot of the electron beam received from the cathode device;

FIG. 3B schematically illustrates an oscillating planar anode of an X-ray source, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, and the distribution across the oscillating surface of the focal spot of the electron beam received from the cathode device;

FIG. 4A schematically illustrates an X-ray tube structure including a single cathode and a single anode, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the anode is a cylindrical member and wherein the anode is arranged to oscillate linearly along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member;

FIG. 4B schematically illustrates an X-ray tube structure including a single cathode and a single anode, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the anode is a cylindrical member and wherein the anode is arranged to oscillate linearly along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member; and

FIGS. 5 A and 5B schematically illustrate an X-ray tube structure including a single cathode and a single anode, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the anode comprises a plurality of adjacently-disposed planar portions cooperating to form a planar member defining a plane and wherein each planar portion is arranged to oscillate in an opposite direction in relation an adjacent planar portion, and in the plane of the planar member, about the focal spot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all aspects of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein; rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 5 A, and 5B schematically illustrate an X-ray source device 100, generally comprising a cathode device 200 arranged to emit an electron beam 300 therefrom, and an anode 400 spaced apart from the cathode device 200 at a focal distance and arranged to receive the electron beam 300 from the cathode device 200 at a focal spot 500 on a surface thereof. The anode 400 is further arranged to oscillate about the focal spot 500 while maintaining the focal distance from the cathode device 200. In such aspects, the anode 400 oscillating about the focal spot 500 while maintaining the focal distance from the cathode device 200 provides, for example, an anode 400 having a relatively higher heat resistance over a prior art stationary anode (see, e.g., FIG. 3A), while being less complex and less costly to implement over a prior art rotating anode design, thereby leading to more effective management of the heat load on the anode of an X-ray tube.

In some aspects as shown, for example, in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the oscillating anode arrangement includes an anode 400 in the form of a planar member defining a plane. The planar member is obliquely oriented in relation to the electron beam 300 received from the cathode device 200. In such an arrangement, the anode 400 is arranged to oscillate in the plane of the planar member about the focal spot 500 (See, e.g., FIG. 3B). For example, in some aspects, the anode 400 is engaged with an oscillation actuator 600 such as, for example, a motorized cam arrangement, a spring member, or any other suitable oscillation mechanism, such that the anode 400 is oscillated about the origin (e.g., the focal spot 500 or focal point) at a predetermined oscillation frequency and/or oscillation amplitude. In order to keep the focal spot 500/focal point fixed with respect to the surface of the anode 400, and the anode 400 at the focal length of the electron beam 300 emitted by the cathode device 200, particular aspects have the oscillation of the anode 200 occurring in and along a plane defined by the anode surface. In other aspects, the oscillation actuator 600 is in communication with the anode 400, and arranged to oscillate the anode 400 in opposite directions about the focal spot 500 while maintaining the anode at the focal distance from the cathode device 200.

In particular aspects, the anode 400 is arranged to oscillate at a substantially equal amplitude in opposite directions about the focal spot 500 (see, e.g., FIG. 3B). As previously noted, interaction of the electron beam 300 with the focal spot 500 on the anode 400 produces X-rays, wherein the X-rays are produced in proportion to a duration of the electron beam 300 interacting with the focal spot 500 (e.g., X-rays are only produced when the electron beam 300 impacts the anode surface at the focal point). Accordingly, in some aspects, the oscillation actuator 600 (see, e.g., FIG. 3B) is arranged to oscillate the anode 400 for one or more oscillation cycles during the duration the interaction of the electron beam 300 with the focal spot 500. That is, in particular desirable instances, the anode 400 is oscillated at predetermined oscillating frequency with a predetermined oscillating amplitude to achieve effective thermal management of the anode 400 during operation. In particular aspects, for example, it is desirable for the frequency of the oscillation to be sufficiently high (e.g., the anode 400 oscillates multiple times during an X-ray pulse (electron beam emission from the cathode device 200) duration), and/or the amplitude of the oscillation to be sufficiently large, in order to disperse the heat generated in the anode 400. More particularly, the focal spot 500 on the anode 400 typically has a dimension along the oscillation direction and, in regard to the oscillation amplitude, it may be desirable in some aspects for the oscillation actuator 600 to be arranged to oscillate the anode 400 at an amplitude of at least one dimension of the focal spot 500, externally to the focal spot 500, in each of the opposite directions (e.g., the amplitude should be at least one full dimension of the focal spot outside of the stationary focal spot).

Moreover, with the oscillation actuator 600 oscillating the anode 400, the effect of the vibration caused by the anode oscillation must be attenuated in order to minimize impact to the other components of the X-ray tube. As such, in one aspect, the oscillation actuator 600 and/or the anode 400 is vibration-isolated from the cathode device 200. In other aspects, the oscillation actuator 600 is arranged to oscillate the anode 400 at a frequency different from a resonant frequency of the anode 400 or the cathode device 200. That is, vibration-related effects to other components of the X-ray tube can be avoided by selecting an anode oscillation frequency outside of the range of resonant frequencies of any or all of the components of the X-ray tube, which serves to minimize the impact of anode vibration on the remainder of the X-ray tube components. In another aspect, the oscillation actuator 600 and/or the anode 400, as well as any anode vibration effects resulting from the anode oscillation, can be mechanically isolated from the remaining components of the X-ray tube. Such vibration isolation can be achieved, for example, by mounting the anode 400, the oscillation actuator 600, the cathode device 200, and the remainder of the components of the X-ray tube using vibration dampening materials (e.g., rubber, ceramics, polymers, etc.) and/or vibration dampening structures (e.g., bellows, springs, etc.) which can effectively attenuate or suppress vibration resulting from oscillating the anode 400.

In other aspects, in order to address the vibration effects, the anode 400 comprises a plurality of adjacently-disposed planar portions (e.g., 400A, 400B in FIGS. 5A and 5B) cooperating to form a planar member defining a plane, with the planar member being obliquely oriented in relation to the electron beam 300 received from the cathode device 200. In such aspects, each planar portion 400A, 400B is arranged to oscillate in an opposite direction in relation an adjacent planar portion, and in the plane of the planar member, about the focal spot 500 (see, e.g., FIG. 3B). That is, a planar anode 400 can be divided into multiple segments 400A, 400B, with each segment oscillating independently (see, e.g., FIGS. 5A and 5B). By appropriately controlling the phase of oscillation of each segment, vibrations from different segments can interact to cancel each other out, thereby attenuating or minimizing effects of anode vibration on other components of the X-ray tube.

In yet other aspects, the anode is not necessarily required to be a planar member. For example, in some aspects, the anode 400 is a cylindrical member defined by a cylindrical surface 450 and defining a longitudinal axis 475 (see, e.g., FIGS. 4A and 4B), wherein the anode 400 is oriented to receive the electron beam 300 from the cathode device 200 on the cylindrical surface 450 thereof. In such aspects, the anode 400 is arranged to oscillate linearly along the longitudinal axis 475 (see, e.g., FIG. 4A), or to rotationally oscillate about the longitudinal axis 475 (see, e.g., FIG. 4B), in each instance about the focal spot on the cylindrical surface 450.

As such, due to the anode oscillation, the original focal spot 500 / focal point on the anode 400 associated with the electron beam 300 will be exposed to a larger area of the anode 400 as shown, for example, in FIG. 3B, as compared to the focal spot / focal point on a stationary anode as shown in FIG. 3A. With the expanded spatial (oscillation amplitude) and reduced temporal (oscillation frequency) exposure of the anode 400 to the focal spot 500 / focal point of the electron beam 300 from the cathode device 300, the heat generated in X-ray generation will be dispersed across a larger area of the anode 400 and any given area will be subject to temporally-spaced exposure to the electron beam. Both factors will lower the operational temperature experienced by the focal spot 500 / focal point region of the anode 400.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these disclosed embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that embodiments of the invention are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated within the scope of the disclosure. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

It should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various steps or calculations, these steps or calculations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one operation or calculation from another. For example, a first calculation may be termed a second calculation, and, similarly, a second step may be termed a first step, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. As used herein, the term “and/or” and the “/” symbol includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Therefore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

Claims

THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED:

1. An X-ray source device, comprising: a cathode device arranged to emit an electron beam therefrom; and an anode spaced apart from the cathode device at a focal distance and arranged to receive the electron beam from the cathode device at a focal spot on a surface thereof, the anode being further arranged to oscillate about the focal spot while maintaining the focal distance from the cathode device.

2. The device of Claim 1, wherein the anode is a planar member defining a plane and being obliquely oriented in relation to the electron beam received from the cathode device, and wherein the anode is arranged to oscillate in the plane of the planar member about the focal spot.

3. The device of Claim 1, wherein the anode comprises a plurality of adjacently- disposed planar portions cooperating to form a planar member defining a plane and being obliquely oriented in relation to the electron beam received from the cathode device, and wherein each planar portion is arranged to oscillate in an opposite direction in relation an adjacent planar portion, and in the plane of the planar member, about the focal spot.

4. The device of Claim 1, wherein the anode is a cylindrical member defined by a cylindrical surface and defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the anode is oriented to receive the electron beam from the cathode device on the cylindrical surface thereof, and wherein the anode is arranged to oscillate linearly along the longitudinal axis, or rotationally oscillate about the longitudinal axis, about the focal spot.

5. The device of Claim 1, wherein the anode is arranged to oscillate at a substantially equal amplitude in opposite directions about the focal spot.

6. The device of Claim 1, comprising an oscillation actuator in communication with the anode and vibration-isolated from the cathode device, the oscillation actuator being arranged to oscillate the anode in opposite directions about the focal spot while maintaining the focal distance from the cathode device.

7. The device of Claim 6, wherein interaction of the electron beam with the focal spot on the anode produces X-rays, wherein the X-rays are produced in proportion to a duration of the electron beam interacting with the focal spot, and wherein the oscillation actuator is arranged to oscillate the anode for one or more oscillation cycles during the duration the interaction of the electron beam with the focal spot.

8. The device of Claim 6, wherein the focal spot has a dimension along an oscillation direction, and wherein the oscillation actuator is arranged to oscillate the anode at an amplitude of at least one dimension of the focal spot, externally to the focal spot, in each of the opposite directions.

9. The device of Claim 6, wherein the oscillation actuator is arranged to oscillate the anode at a frequency different from a resonant frequency of the anode or the cathode device.

10. A method of forming an X-ray source device, comprising: arranging an anode in spaced apart from a cathode device at a focal distance thereof, such that the anode receives an electron beam emitted from the cathode device at a focal spot on a surface of the anode; and arranging the anode to oscillate about the focal spot while maintaining the focal distance from the cathode device.

11. The method of Claim 10, wherein the anode is a planar member defining a plane, and wherein arranging the anode comprises arranging the planar member to be obliquely oriented in relation to the electron beam received from the cathode device, and to oscillate in the plane of the planar member about the focal spot.

12. The method of Claim 10, wherein the anode comprises a plurality of adjacently- disposed planar portions cooperating to form a planar member defining a plane, and wherein arranging the anode comprises arranging the planar member to be obliquely oriented in relation to the electron beam received from the cathode device, and such that each planar portion is arranged to oscillate in an opposite direction in relation an adjacent planar portion, in the plane of the planar member, about the focal spot.

13. The method of Claim 10, wherein the anode is a cylindrical member defined by a cylindrical surface and defining a longitudinal axis, and wherein arranging the anode comprises arranging the cylindrical member to receive the electron beam from the cathode device on the cylindrical surface thereof, and to oscillate linearly along the longitudinal axis, or rotationally oscillate about the longitudinal axis, about the focal spot.

14. The method of Claim 10, wherein arranging the anode comprises arranging the anode to oscillate at a substantially equal amplitude in opposite directions about the focal spot.

15. The method of Claim 10, comprising arranging an oscillation actuator in communication with the anode and vibration-isolated from the cathode device, such that the oscillation actuator oscillates the anode in opposite directions about the focal spot while maintaining the focal distance from the cathode device.

16. The method of Claim 15, wherein interaction of the electron beam with the focal spot on the anode produces X-rays, wherein the X-rays are produced in proportion to a duration of the electron beam interacting with the focal spot, and wherein arranging the oscillation actuator comprises arranging the oscillation actuator to oscillate the anode for one or more oscillation cycles during the duration the interaction of the electron beam with the focal spot.

17. The method of Claim 15, wherein the focal spot has a dimension along an oscillation direction, and wherein arranging the oscillation actuator comprises arranging the oscillation actuator to oscillate the anode at an amplitude of at least one dimension of the focal spot, externally to the focal spot, in each of the opposite directions.

18. The method of Claim 15, wherein arranging the oscillation actuator comprises arranging the oscillation actuator to oscillate the anode at a frequency different from a resonant frequency of the anode or the cathode device.