We have designed a 160kV radiation source based on carbon nanotubes (CNT) capable of irradiating cells. The functionality of the designed system was verified by assessing the physical and chemical properties of directly synthesized CNT and the resulting x-ray dosage emitted. The conventional x-ray source widely used until now employs an analog method that generates thermal electrons through filament heating. To overcome the limitations of this existing analog method, a novel digital x-ray tube capable of instantaneously controlling power became essential. Taking these aspects into consideration, our study developed a 160kV x-ray source based on CNT, enabling digital control of x-ray energy and dosage. We anticipate that our developed source can find applications in the field of cell therapy in the future.
We present an electron emitter for multi-X-ray source system such as computed tomography (CT) or tomosynthesis. The electron emitter used in the X-ray source was fabricated using carbon nanotubes with excellent electrical properties as a cold cathode. A metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) circuit was added between the cathode of the electron emitter and the ground to enable pulse driving according to the input signal. The field emission characteristics of the electron emitter were tested in a self-made vacuum system. Pulse driving of the electron emitter was performed at a frequency of 10 kHz and a duty of 50%, and a maximum cathode current of 3.9 mA flowed at a gate voltage of 2.1 kV. In addition, it was possible to take X-ray images of the chest phantom and metronome using an X-ray source made with a CNT-based electron emitter.
We designed and developed a carbon nanotube (CNT)-based reflective digital cell irradiation system capable of irradiating cells. The chemical and physical properties of the CNT synthesized directly on the patterned substrate were confirmed, and the field emission characteristics with a maximum anode current of 10 mA were evaluated through the I-V curve. Also, electrostatic simulation was conducted to confirm the electric field distribution and the electron beam trajectory. According to the duty (27.3 mGy at anode on time 10 sec, duty 50 %), the anode voltage (25.2 mGy at anode on time 10 sec, duty 50 %, anode voltage 40 kV) and the distance between the window and the cell stage (anode on time 10 sec, duty 50%, anode voltage 40 kV, 19.4 mGy), the function of the system was verified by obtaining the dose emitted from the system. This study confirmed that it is suitable as the cell irradiation system for studying the radiobiological effects of low-dose radiation-irradiated cells.
KEYWORDS: Radiation effects, Beryllium, 3D modeling, Scanning electron microscopy, Radiation oncology, Radiotherapy, Particles, Metals, Medicine, Medical research
Radiation research primarily aims to improve radiation therapy and the use of radiation on soft materials. There are many reports available on the effects of high-dose radiation on cells, but the effects of low-dose radiation still require much scientific evidence. Therefore, we intend to study the effects of low-dose irradiation on cell internal structures by cold cathode field emission carbon nanotube (CNT)-based cell irradiator. Hence, we designed a CNT-based microbeam system to irradiate cells. CNT emitter was fabricated by synthesizing CNTs on point shaped substrate. The growth of CNTs was confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The aging process was carried out to improve the performance of the CNT emitter and the I-V characteristic was measured. We also conducted the simulation study in order to confirm the electric field change and the electron beam trajectory.
We designed an X-ray source using a carbon nanotubes-based electron emitter. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) having a cylindrical structure have excellent electrical and mechanical properties. For this reason, it is suitable as an electron emitter device of a field emission method and can be used as the X-ray source. CNTs were synthesized on an alloy substrate through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, and the substrate was used as a cathode in an electron emitter. The CNT-based emitter consists of a gate and a CNT cathode, and the emitter together with an anode constitutes an X-ray source. To improve the emitter's electron emission characteristics and durability, a MOSFET circuit was added between the CNT cathode and ground to enable pulse driving. In addition, the possibility of using the miniaturized X-ray sources as a multi-X-ray source arrays were confirmed by using the deMUX circuit to switch multiple emitters. The field emission characteristics of the CNT-based X-ray sources were analyzed, and it was confirmed that an X-ray image could be obtained.
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