A nanotube-based field emission x-ray source for microcomputed tomography

Microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) is a noninvasive imaging tool commonly used to probe the internal structures of small animals for biomedical research and for the inspection of microelectronics. Here we report the development of a micro-CT scanner with a carbon nanotube- (CNT-) based microfocus x-ray source. The performance of the CNT x-ray source and the imaging capability of the micro-CT scanner were characterized.

[1]  Otto Zhou,et al.  Generation of continuous and pulsed diagnostic imaging x-ray radiation using a carbon-nanotube-based field-emission cathode , 2002 .

[2]  R. Gomer,et al.  Field Emission and Field Ionization , 1961 .

[3]  O. Zhou,et al.  Very large current density from carbon nanotube field emitters , 1999, International Electron Devices Meeting 1999. Technical Digest (Cat. No.99CH36318).

[4]  Yuan Cheng,et al.  Dynamic radiography using a carbon-nanotube-based field-emission x-ray source , 2004 .

[5]  G. Hallenbeck Clinical evaluation of the 350-kV chest radiography system. , 1975, Radiology.

[6]  Yuan Cheng,et al.  Fabrication and electron field emission properties of carbon nanotube films by electrophoretic deposition , 2001 .

[7]  Philip G. Collins,et al.  A simple and robust electron beam source from carbon nanotubes , 1996 .

[8]  P. Nordlander,et al.  Unraveling Nanotubes: Field Emission from an Atomic Wire , 1995, Science.

[9]  M J Paulus,et al.  High resolution X-ray computed tomography: an emerging tool for small animal cancer research. , 2000, Neoplasia.

[10]  A. Cormack Reconstruction of densities from their projections, with applications in radiological physics. , 1973, Physics in medicine and biology.

[11]  G. Hounsfield Computerized transverse axial scanning (tomography): Part I. Description of system. 1973. , 1973, The British journal of radiology.

[12]  H. Sugie,et al.  Carbon nanotubes as electron source in an x-ray tube , 2001 .

[13]  W. P. Dyke,et al.  Resolution of field-emission x-ray sources. , 1975, Radiology.

[14]  S. Webb,et al.  Cone-beam x-ray microtomography of small specimens. , 1994, Physics in medicine and biology.

[15]  T. Yanagisawa,et al.  10 kHz microsecond pulsed X-ray generator utilising a hot-cathode triode with variable durations for biomedical radiography , 2006, Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing.

[16]  L. Feldkamp,et al.  Practical cone-beam algorithm , 1984 .