Using Geant4 Monte Carlo toolkit to evaluate a low power X-ray tube generator configuration

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Computational Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Monte Carlo simulations are vital for developing irradiation and medical equipment.
• Accurate simulation is needed for X-ray tube generator design and dosimetry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a methodology for designing low-power X-ray tube generators.
• To utilize the Geant4 Monte Carlo toolkit for X-ray production simulations.

Main Methods:

• Simulated X-ray production using Geant4 Monte Carlo toolkit.
• Investigated variables: target material, window thickness, air pressure.
• Varied electron beam energies (20-60 keV) and divergences (5°-30°).

Main Results:

• Incident kinetic energy and target material significantly altered X-ray spectra and conversion efficiency (CE).
• Tungsten and copper targets showed distinct impacts on X-ray output.
• Optimized parameters are essential for effective X-ray tube design.

Conclusions:

• The developed methodology reliably explores X-ray tube generator configurations.
• Identified key parameters for optimizing geometry, materials, and thicknesses.
• Provides a foundation for designing X-ray tubes for spectroscopy applications.