Parametric X-ray generation from moderate energy electron beams

Abstract

We have examined parametric X-ray radiation (PXR) as a low cost, pulsed, tuneable X-ray source. In contrast to synchrotron radiation (SR), PXR requires only moderate beam energies produced by conventional linear accelerators. We have determined the maximum PXR intensity that can be achieved from simple crystals placed in a high current, relativistic electron beam. PXR compares favorably to SR on a per electron and pulsed basis. Our calculations and experiments indicate that PXR is a useful source for applications requiring X-rays with energies of a few keV to several tens of keV. For example, we have shown that a PXR source is a viable alternative to SR for digital subtraction angiography based on tuning about the 33 keV iodine K-edge.