In a miniature x-
ray tube, which may be on the order of approximately 1 mm in
diameter or even less, a
high voltage cable is provided in various embodiments for conducting current to the
cathode of the x-
ray tube and for conducting
high voltage to the
cathode and
anode of the tube. In various embodiments of the cable, two conductors occupy a center region of the cable, packed as closely together as possible, in various shapes that are compact and present as smooth as possible an external shape for maximizing
dielectric properties against the exterior
high voltage ground, surrounding and generally concentric with the inner conductors. The inner conductors, which carry high
voltage in opposition to the outer ground, can be in opposed D shapes, coaxial, two flattened conductors side by side, or simply a pair of cylindrical wires positioned as closely as possible. The space between the inner conductors and the outer ground can be occupied by a glass insulator,
polymer, successive
layers of polymers and
adhesive, air, gas, vacuum or other dielectrics. A partially conductive region can surround the inner conductors.