P2-58

Development of Carbon Nanotube X-ray System for

Computed Tomography

Je Hwang Ryu1, Seung Ho Lee1, Wan Sun Kim1, Young Ju Eom2, Jae Gon Kim3,
Soo Yeol Lee3, Kyu Chang Park2*, and Hun Kuk Park1*
1
Department of Biomedical Engineering and Healthcare Industry Research Institute,
Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea
2
Department of Information Display and Advanced Display Research Center,
Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea
3
Department of Biomedical Engineering,
Kyung Hee University, Gyeonggi-do 446-701, Korea

* sigmoidus@khu.ac.kr, kyupark@khu.ac.kr

Abstract— We developed a carbon nanotube field emission x-ray

system for computed tomography imaging. The obtained x-ray II. EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS
images were reconstructed to tomography image using back
projection and filtered back projection algorithm. The resulting A. CNT growth
reconstructed x-ray image clearly shows micrometer scale. The diameter of emitter can be controlled using the resist-
assisted patterning (RAP) process. The RAP process can
Keywords- carbon nanotube, x-ray, computed tomography control the diameter and pitch of CNT emitters, resulting in
electron emission control. The electron emission current is
I. INTRODUCTION linearly dependent on the number of electron emitters. The
Computed tomography (CT) is a significant tool for non- electron emission current from different sized emitters and
invasive imaging for medical imaging, industrial detection and substrate materials are investigated. We fabricated carbon
small animal clinician. X-ray tube is the key factor to achieve nanotube field emitter arrays (CNT-FEAs) using the RAP
high spatial and temporal resolution in CT. It has been process with a DC-PECVD system. The process can control the
demonstrated that high temporal resolution can be achieved by emitter area with diameters as small as 3 Pm, where the area
the novel method of using carbon nanotube (CNT). CNTs are depends on the limit of the photo-lithography system.
excellent electron emitters for vacuum nano-electronic
applications. Among the many applications of a CNT emitter
are cold electron generation sources used in displays, backlight
units, x-ray tubes and electron guns. The key requirements of
CNTs in electron emission source applications are high and
stable field emission properties. CNTs which are used as
electron emitters in x-ray generation have superior properties
such as compact structure, reduction of power consumption,
robustness, and active control of electron emission site and
little need of focus electrode. Especially, the focal spot size of
the electron beam at the anode target and the high anode
current is important to produce high resolution with a low dose
from x-ray sources. [1, 2]
In this paper, we obtained the x-ray image with RAP grown
CNTs for CT imaging. The x-ray images show micrometer
scale resolution with stable and repeatable measurements. The
demonstrated CNT x-ray system and their imaging processing
are discussed. Figure 1. SEM image of grown CNT emitter for x-ray source.
 Table 1. Reconstruction parameters for BP and FBP.

Projection image size 2048 x 1024

(pixel) (uint16, Big endian)
Pixel size (wm) 96
Number of views (ea) 18
SO/SD (mm) 275/330
Reconstructed image matrix 512 x 512 x 230
size (pixel)
Voxel size (wm) 290

Figure 2. Photograph images of triode type x-ray system (a) and object
rotator system with detector (b).

B. X-ray system with object-rotator

A new x-ray system design utilizing CNT cold cathodes
may be a significant advance in x-ray technology development
and could lead to portable and miniature x-ray sources for
medical and industrial applications. Fig. 2 shows the
photographs of triode type x-ray system. The full size is 50 cm
× 20 cm × 20 cm (H×V×W). The CNT emitter was grounded
through an ammeter and the electrons were extracted from the
emitter by the positive voltage ~2.6 kV applied to the gate
electrode. The electrons were accelerated to the high voltage Va
40 kV applied to the metal target. The gate electrode and target
were located at approximately 10 mm, respectively, from the
emitter array.
Figure 3. Reconstruected images of projected teeth by back projection
methode (a), filtered back projection methode (b).
IV. CONCLUSION
CNTs x-ray system for CT was demonstrated for medical
imaging. We reported a design of CNT x-ray system with
object rotator. By using the fabricated x-ray system, we
obtained x-ray images and then performed imaging process
(BP, FBP methods). Reconstructed image by new x-ray system
is open to make powerful tool for medical research and
industrial detection.

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ACKNOWLEDGMENT

A. X-ray image acquisition
Biomedical x-ray images for the detection of the dental
proximal caries using the novel CNT x-ray source were
obtained from Fig. 2. The CNT emitter (cathode), gate (grid)
and anode bias voltages were 0, 2.6 and 40 kV, respectively.
Although the anode peak current obtained exceeded 1 mA, the
applied anode tube current to obtain x-ray images was
approximately 1 mA with an exposure time of approximately 5
sec. The gate voltage was varied depending on the flux
required.
B. Image reconstruction of projected images
The obtained images were reconstructed by back projection
(BP) and filtered back projection (FBP) method. The Fig. 3
shows reconstructed image of dental proximal caries.
This research is support by the Seoul Research and
Business Development Program (Grant No. CR070054) and
the Industrial Core Technology Development Program funded
by the Ministry of Knowledge Economics (Grant No.
10037379).
REFERENCES
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