Quasi-monochromatic X-ray Source for Mammography

描述（由申请人提供）：拟开展的研究的目的是 为了构建用于乳房X射线照相术的原型窄带X射线源， 薄的，高效的混合辐射器，由相对论电子束驱动， 能量和电流适中。的高X射线产率（光子/电子）， 源允许使用适度的电子束电流，防止热 对散热器本身的损害。辐射体很薄， 光束通过它多次，从而成比例地增加 发射的X射线通量。由于光源本身是准直的， 准单色，它将产生更高质量的射线照相图像， 降低患者的剂量。第一阶段的实验表明， 在乳房X线摄影的最佳范围内的准单色X射线（15至25 keV）。 计算了X射线产额和通过 辐射器已经证明有足够的通量用于成像。的 研究将通过改进薄混合散热器的设计来进行， 实验证明其可行性，通过产生无生命的图像， 幻影成功开发原型成像的潜力 系统是非常高的，因为我们的第一阶段研究已经在实验上 证明，电子循环和窄带宽，可调x射线 一代这些结果表明，高质量的乳房X线照片可以 在不到3秒的时间内生成。

Description (provided by applicant): The objective of the proposed research is to construct a prototype narrow-bandwidth x-ray source for mammography using a thin, efficient hybrid radiator driven by a relativistic electron beam of moderate energy and current. The high x-ray yield (photons/electron) of the source permits the use of modest electron-beam currents, preventing thermal damage to the radiator itself. The radiator is thin, permitting the electron beam to pass through it many times, thereby proportionally increasing the emitted x-ray flux. Since the source is inherently collimated and quasi-monochromatic, it will produce higher quality radiographic images while lowering the dose to the patient. Phase I experiments have demonstrated intense quasi-monochromatic x-rays in the range optimum for mammography (15 to 25 keV). Calculations of the x-ray yield and the average current passing through the radiator have demonstrated that there is adequate flux for imaging. The research will proceed by improving the design of the thin hybrid radiator and experimentally demonstrating its feasibility by producing images of inanimate phantoms. The potential for successful development of the prototype imaging system is very high because our Phase I research has already experimentally demonstrated, both electron recycling and narrow bandwidth, tunable x-ray generation. These results indicate that a high quality mammogram can be generated in less than 3 seconds.