(57) An apparatus for rapidly achieving stabilized x-ray emissions from an x-ray tube
is disclosed. The essentially constant current characteristics of an x-ray tube are
utilized so as to initially establish relatively low voltage (C) but approximately
full current (A) operating condition in the x-ray tube during an initial tube preparation
time period. Any relatively low energy x-rays emitted during this initial period are
of little concern since they are readily absorbed by the usual beam hardening materials
placed in the x-ray path. Once the x-ray tube has been stabilized at such relatively
low energy output, the operating voltage may thereafter be very rapidly raised to
normal operating levels (D) while permitting concurrent rapid stabilization of the
relatively small corresponding further required increase in x-ray tube current (B)
which, in turn, provides for rapid stabilization of the useful high energy x-ray tube
emissions.
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