Abstract: Carbon nanotube(CNT) cathode based field emission X-ray source and imaging techniques as an important development for X-ray CT technology,has generated much interest in recent years.Compared to the more traditional thermal emission X-ray source,CNT X-ray source possesses several desirable attributes such as miniaturization,fast response time,efficient-focusing and improved control of emitted electrons.Thus,an imaging tool based on these attributes will contribute significantly to the field of X-ray imaging within both medicine and industry.In this paper,the development of CNT cathode based X-ray source and imaging methodologies will be discussed.