Thick-Target X-Ray Production in the Range from 1250 to 2350 Kilovolts

Abstract

An experimental investigation has been made of the thick-target production of x-rays by electrons from an electrostatic accelerator. Measurements were made with an ionization chamber for targets of beryllium, aluminum, copper, silver, tungsten, and gold. Various voltages from 1250 to 2350 kilovolts were used, and the angular range covered was from 0 to 140 degrees. The total radiation intensity, integrated over all angles, is found to be accurately linear with atomic number in this energy range. From these measurements, the efficiency of x-ray production has been calculated. For the case of 2.35-million-volt electrons on gold, a value of 7.4 percent is obtained. This is in adequate agreement with theoretical predictions.