Behavior of characteristic X-rays from a partial-transmission-type X-ray target

•Angular distribution of characteristic X-rays was analyzed at low, medium, and high energies of incident electron beams.•Monte Carlo simulation shows that the angular distribution of characteristic X-rays is not always isotropic around the target.•Non-isotropic emission of characteristic X-rays mainly depends on the target thickness and the energy of the incident electron beam.•A multi-energy photon generator is proposed, where the target itself acts as a filter for the low-energy characteristic X-rays.

The angular distribution of characteristic X-rays using a partial-transmission tungsten target was analyzed. Twenty four tallies were modeled to cover a 360° envelope around the target. The Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP5) simulation results revealed that the characteristic X-ray flux is not always isotropic around the target. Rather, the flux mainly depends on the target thickness and the energy of the incident electron beam. A multi-energy photon generator is proposed to emit high-energy characteristic X-rays, where the target acts as a filter for the low-energy characteristic X-rays.