Development of X-ray Source Based on Parametric X-ray Radiation at Nihon University

Abstract

A new type of X-ray source was developed at the Laboratory for Electron Beam Research and Application (LEBRA) in Nihon University. The development was the first case in the world of the X-ray source based on parametric X-ray radiation (PXR) with a dedicated beamline and a double-crystal system. The substantial design and construction was started in 2000 and the first observation of the X-ray beam from the PXR source was achieved in 2004. Since then various studies have been performed to develop the PXR application using its characteristics such as the monochromaticity and the continuous tunability. In particular, the success of dispersive X-ray absorption fine structure analysis and diffraction-based phase-contrast imaging shows good prospects of the PXR application. It is expected that a coherent X-ray source based on PXR will be introduced into medical facilities in the near future.