A Monte Carlo simulation study of a flat-panel X-ray source

• Published in: Applied radiation and isotopes Vol. 70; no. 8; pp. 1658 - 1666
• Main Authors: Grant, Edwin J., Posada, Chrystian M., Castaño, Carlos H., Lee, Hyoung K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2012
• Subjects: Bremsstrahlung; Distributed X-ray source; Field emission X-ray source; Flat-panel source; MCNPX; Transmission X-ray; MCNPX; Transmission X-ray; Bremsstrahlung; Field emission X-ray source; Flat-panel source; Distributed X-ray source
• ISSN: 0969-8043; 1872-9800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2012.04.011

A novel flat-panel transmission X-ray source based on nitrogen-incorporated ultra-nano-crystalline diamond (N-UNCD) field emitters is being developed for medical and industrial X-ray imaging. X-ray generation characteristics of the X-ray tubes were simulated with the MCNPX 2.6.0 Monte Carlo code. The simulation results showed that 0.25–12μm thick tungsten targets could generate an adequate intensity of Bremsstrahlung X-rays. Generated X-ray output intensities of 1.48×1012MeV/mA-s of 100kVp electrons hitting the target were found before collimation.
► In this study, a flat-panel transmission X-ray source was modeled with MCNPX 2.6.0. ► Optimal target materials and thicknesses for maximal X-ray output were tested. ► Tungsten yielded higher X-ray intensity at 30kVp and 100kVp anode voltages. ► Transmission X-ray yielded higher output per unit solid angle than reflection X-ray. ► X-ray intensities around 1×107MeV/mA-s could be generated after collimation.