Optimization of X-ray target parameters for a high-brightness microfocus X-ray tube

Parameters of a transmission-type X-ray target have been optimized for a microfocus X-ray tube with an emphasis on maximizing the intensity of X-rays generated from the target while reducing the X-ray focal spot size. Monte Carlo simulation code MCNPX was used for the calculation of X-ray intensity generated from the X-ray tube. The calculation shows that the target thickness plays a dominant role in the enhancement of X-ray intensity. The optimum thickness to get maximum X-ray intensity for a given beam current was derived from the calculation for a broad range of electron energies from 30 keV to 150 keV. In addition, stability of a transmission-type target against localized thermal loading, which is attributed to the electron beam impinging on a micron-sized target region, was also investigated by the calculation of the temperature distribution within the target. From the analysis, we present the maximum allowable electron-beam power loading for a stable operation of the transmission-type target at different incident electron beam energies.