U-shape rotating anti-cathode compact X-ray generator: 20 times stronger than the commercially available X-ray source

Area of Science:

• X-ray generation and instrumentation
• Materials science and surface engineering

Background:

• Conventional rotating anti-cathode X-ray generators have limitations in brightness.
• Existing generators with a 50 mm radius and 6,000 r.p.m. rotation speed represent a specific class of X-ray sources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a modified X-ray generator with significantly enhanced brightness.
• To investigate the effect of target surface modification and electron beam incidence angle on X-ray output.

Main Methods:

• Modification of a conventional rotating anti-cathode X-ray generator into a U-shape anti-cathode design.
• Irradiation of the inner surface of a cylindrical copper (Cu) target with an electron beam.
• Application of a carbon coating to the Cu target and investigation of electron beam incidence angles (vertical vs. oblique) on a roughened surface.

Main Results:

• The U-shape generator achieved a brightness of 52 kW mm(-2), a 4.3x increase over the original.
• Adding a carbon coating resulted in 129 kW mm(-2) brightness (10x increase).
• Oblique electron beam incidence on a roughened target surface doubled the X-ray output compared to vertical incidence on a smooth surface, reaching a 20x overall brightness increase.

Conclusions:

• The U-shape anti-cathode X-ray generator design significantly enhances brightness.
• Surface roughening combined with oblique electron beam incidence is a critical factor for maximizing X-ray output.
• This modified generator offers a substantially more powerful X-ray source compared to conventional designs.