Impact of electrical aging on x-ray image quality and dose rate with vertically aligned carbon nanotube based cold cathode electron beam (C-beam)

Abstract

The adoption of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) as electron emitters in x-ray generation has opened a new path for medical imaging technology advancement. With their outstanding electron emission capabilities, VACNTs provide a distinct advantage in miniaturizing and improving the performance of x-ray devices. This research focuses on the effect of electrical aging on x-ray imaging quality and the dose rate while using VACNTs as the electron source. The study includes a thorough examination of the electrical aging effects on VACNT-based x-ray systems, with an emphasis on changes in emission characteristics, beam stability, and the resulting variations in x-ray output. Experiment results show that electrical aging has a considerable impact on the performance of VACNT-based x-ray sources, with visible changes in electron emission parameters and subsequent consequences on x-ray imaging quality. Furthermore, the study investigates the relationship between electrical aging and the x-ray dose rate, providing vital insights into radiation exposure optimization in medical diagnostics.