Electron-impact based generation and applications of monochromatic x-rays

摘要

A summary is given of methods to manipulate the polychromatic radiation emitted from electron impact x-ray sources so as to generate a (quasi-)monochromatic beam. These methods include: differential attenuation of bremsstrahlung, differential reflection of x-rays from monochromating crystals, production of fluorescence x-rays from secondary targets and geometrical enhancement of characteristic radiation. Typical values for some of the parameters which characterise (quasi-)monochromatic sources i. e. monochromaticity, energy bandwidth and source radiance are presented. A brief description is given of some radiological techniques which either necessitate or benefit from monochromatic radiation. With the help of a figure of merit for monochromatic x-ray sources, the suitability of the candidates mentioned above for these techniques is assessed.