Time dependence of X-ray emission from pyroelectric crystal measured with a digital oscilloscope

We measured time dependence of X-ray and electron emission by changing temperature of a pyroelectric crystal in vacuum with a Geiger counter connected to a digital oscilloscope. We found the X-ray emission stops when the glow discharge occurs, and the glow discharge decreases the integral X-ray intensity. In order to generate a stable X-ray emission, we need to keep the temperature gradient of the pyroelectric crystal deliberately low and avoid the ballistic electric discharge between the pyroelectric surface and the target. (author)