X-ray Source/X-ray Tube

An X-ray source, also known as an X-ray tube, is a vacuum tube designed to produce X-rays. Inside the tube, an electric current heats a filament, causing it to emit electrons. These electrons are accelerated by a high voltage and collide with an anode target, generating X-rays upon impact.

The intensity of the generated X-rays is proportional to the tube current and approximately proportional to the square of the tube voltage. However, the energy conversion efficiency is low; less than 1% of the electron beam's energy is converted into X-rays, while the majority is dissipated as heat. Consequently, stable power control and effective heat management are critical for performance.

X-ray sources are broadly classified into two categories: sealed-tube and open-tube types. Sealed-tube sources are further divided into fixed-anode and rotating-anode types. Based on the power supply configuration, they are also categorized as anode-grounded, cathode-grounded, or bipolar.

These sources are widely used in medical imaging (X-ray and CT), industrial non-destructive testing (NDT), and analytical instruments such as XRF (X-ray Fluorescence) and XRD (X-ray Diffraction). For high-resolution inspections, specialized microfocus X-ray tubes are employed.

Types of X-ray Tubes

Analytical X-ray Tubes: X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) tubes, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) tubes, Beryllium window tubes, Ceramic tubes, Metal-ceramic tubes

Industrial X-ray tubes: Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) tubes, Microfocus X-ray tubes, Open-type X-ray sources, Transmission-type tubes, Reflection-type tubes

Medical X-ray Tubes: Rotating anode tubes, Dental X-ray tubes, CT tubes, Mammography tubes, Angiography tubes

Matsusada Precision offers a comprehensive lineup of high-voltage power supplies optimized for X-ray tubes. Our solutions include dedicated power supplies that integrate both filament and high-voltage acceleration drivers into a single unit. We also provide all-in-one X-ray generation modules. These compact modules combine the X-ray tube and high-voltage power supply into a safe, easy-to-integrate package, eliminating the need for customers to handle exposed high-voltage wiring or high-temperature components.