Investigation of the emission of x-rays in a pyroelectric micro x-ray generator

Full text: The continual implementation of X-rays as an analytical tool has led to numerous advancements in science and technology. Examples include X-ray crystallography, X-ray fluorescence analysis and medical imaging. The conventional method to generate X-rays requires high-voltage electronic components and a vacuum tube, making it a costly piece of equipment with limited lifetime. This has raised interest in developing a low-cost micro X-ray generator to expand the possibilities for the application of X-ray analysis methods. X-ray generator systems using pyroelectricity has become a potential candidate as it is able to develop a large electric field with low electrical power, dramatically reducing the required input power and device complexity. Despite several variations of such a system being demonstrated, there has been little exploration of the mechanism behind the emission of Xrays in pyroelectric generators [1]. The micro X-ray generator presented employs lithium niobate as its pyroelectric material where it is thermally cycled to ionise residual gas particles in a vacuum environment and accelerate electrons in order to emit X-rays. From this, characteristic and bremsstrahlung X-rays were observed when collected by a silicon drift detector. Furthermore, Monte Carlo simulations and X-ray emission experiments were conducted in this study to understand the X-ray emission mechanism as well as to improve the performance of the micro X-ray generator. (author)