High-Efficiency X-Ray Source

While the efficiency of x-ray sources is defined by the laws of physics, present day sources do not take full advantage of those laws. Other materials thant tungsten are not only more efficient in producing bremsstrahlung, but have "characteristic" x-rays that can make the beam harder instead of softer (as in the case for tungsten). Today's tubes also do not use optimum angles for the incident electrons for the emerging x-rays. We propose to optimize materials and angles, not just for the efficiency of producing the x-rays, but for the overall efficiently, taking into account he object being examined and the properties of the detectors. We will produce a design that increases efficiency and also allows use of a larger fraction of the x-rays (increases soled angle), while taking into account cooling and shielding. Improvement over present tubes is expected to be at least 3:1 and possible more than 10:1.