A compact X-ray source (1 dm(3)) has been built, the basis of X-ray product
ion being that of bremsstrahlung (Br) of the hot electrons generated in sit
u in the core of a hot magnetized plasma. Among the advantages of this devi
ce are that it can be pulsed or operated in a stable continuous mode and th
at there is no requirement for any filament nor high-voltage power supply.
Thick-target Br (from a solid material) is involved, first in view of inves
tigating runaway electrons leaking to the lateral walls. Second and more im
portantly, the features of thick-target Br are exploited in order to make t
he X-ray source point-like and more intense, a small target being inserted
in the way of the hot electrons. The brightness obtained at 20 keV is 3.5 x
10(11) photons s(-1) mm(-2) sr(-1) keV(-1), which for example allows the o
btaining of mammographic images in exposure times of a few seconds. (C) 200
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