HIGH-REPETITION-RATE PULSED COMPACT FLASH X-RAY SOURCE

We report on the last improvements performed on a table top flash X-ra y device producing strong X-ray doses in nanosecond pulses at high rep etition rate. Doses up to 2 rad, at the output window, of 10 keV cente red X-rays are emitted either along a 10 cm long filament or as a spot of less than 300 mu m in diameter depending on the electrode configur ation. The use of a rotating anode and of an external electrode ajustm ent have enhanced the reliability of the device which can now operate for hours at 20 Hz at constant output power.