What is "linearity" of a power supply?

[cupoftea]

Hi,
I was told that there is an x-ray tube's filament supply with "improved linearity".
What does this mean?
I thought a filament supply just had to put constant current through the filament?

 

[FvM]

I can just guess that linearity requirements are related to usage of filament current for anode current control.

But it sounds like marketing babble. Presume there's a more technical description.

 

[danadakk]

Good discussion over here :

X-ray Production, Tubes, and Generators

X-ray Production, Tubes, and Generators X-rays are produced when highly energetic electrons interact with matter, converting some or all of their kinetic energy into electromagnetic radiation. The …

radiologykey.com

Seems like if tube operated in space charge mode that current not critical as
long as filament meets emission T. But I will let the experts comment further.
The only thing I know about xray tubes is they have been used on me occasionally .


Regards, Dana.