Tunable Monochromatic X‐ray Source Based on Parametric X‐ray Radiation at LEBRA, Nihon University

The monochromatic X‐ray source based on parametric X‐ray radiation (PXR) was developed by using the electron beam from the 125‐MeV linac at Nihon University. The X‐ray generating system consists of two silicon perfect‐crystal plates to offer a wide tunability. The system has actually been providing the energy dispersive monochromatic X‐ray beam in the region of 6 to 20 keV, using Si(111)‐plane for the target and the second crystals. Since the X‐ray beam from the PXR generator has rather high energy resolution and coherency, X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurement and phase‐contrast imaging are possible applications of PXR. Actually, preliminary experiments on energy dispersive XAFS measurement and refraction‐contrast imaging have been successfully carried out using the PXR beam.