Interest of thick-target bremsstrahlung for an innovative compact X-ray source

A compact X-ray source (1 dm(3)) has been built, the basis of X-ray production being that of bremsstrahlung (Br) of the hot electrons generated in situ in the core of a hot magnetized plasma. Among the advantages of this device are that it can be pulsed or operated in a stable continuous mode and that there is no requirement for any filament nor high-voltage power supply. Thick-target Br (from a solid material) is involved, first in view of investigating runaway electrons leaking to the lateral walls. Second and more importantly, the features of thick-target Br are exploited in order to make the X-ray source point-like and more intense, a small target being inserted in the way of the hot electrons. The brightness obtained at 20 keV is 3.5 x 10(11) photons s(-1) mm(-2) sr(-1) keV(-1), which for example allows the obtaining of mammographic images in exposure times of a few seconds. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.