A 24 keV liquid-metal-jet x-ray source for biomedical applications.
We present a high-brightness 24-keV electron-impact microfocus x-ray source based on continuous operation of a heated liquid-indium/gallium-jet anode. The 30-70 W electron beam is magnetically focused onto the jet, producing a circular 7-13 μm full width half maximum x-ray spot. The measured spectral brightness at the 24.2 keV In K(α) line is 3 × 10(9) photons∕(s × mm(2) × mrad(2) × 0.1% BW) at 30 W electron-beam power. The high photon energy compared to existing liquid-metal-jet sources increases the penetration depth and allows imaging of thicker samples. The applicability of the source in the biomedical field is demonstrated by high-resolution imaging of a mammography phantom and a phase-contrast angiography phantom.
Biomedical and X-Ray Physics, Department of Applied Physics, Royal Institute of Technology/Albanova, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden. daniel.larsson@biox.kth.se
D H
DH
Larsson
P A C
PA
Takman
U
U
Lundström
A
A
Burvall
H M
HM
Hertz
D000792:Angiography; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005708:Gallium / Q000737:chemistry*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007204:Indium / Q000737:chemistry*; D008327:Mammography; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D014965:X-Rays
D007204:Indium; D005708:Gallium