A microfocus x-ray source based on a nonmetal liquid-jet anode

We demonstrate stable operation of a nonmetallic anode in an electron-impact x-ray source. A high-brightness electron beam is focused on a similar to 70 m/s speed, similar to 10 mu m diameter methanol jet producing stable x-ray emission with peak spectral brightness at similar to 5.4 x 10(5) photons/(s x mu m(2) x sr x 0.1% BW). The jet is fully evaporated in the interaction point. The shape of a simulated spectrum using Monte Carlo methods shows good agreement with experimental data, and the theoretical brightness values give an upper limit for the achievable x-ray emission from jets with very high velocities. Using this anode concept, all compounds and elements found in liquid form are potentially usable for x-ray generation. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.