Using a TWT to Generate Fast-Modulated X-Rays for X-Ray Communications

High-data-rate x-ray carrier communication (XCOM) is a new frontier for wireless data transmission. We investigated using a helix TWT to produce high repetition-rate electron bunches as a source for generating high repetition-rate x-ray pulses. Simulations illustrate the advantage of leveraging the accessible low energy K-shell characteristic lines produced by titanium to improve the bit-error rate of the x-ray intensity signal when compared to a target which produces spectra composed of pure bremsstrahlung radiation. The simulations use a time-dependent Monte Carlo code to predict x-ray signals expected from an experimentally measured, density-modulated, TWT spent electron beam. Experiments are in progress to test the accuracy of the simulation predictions. The experiments will use an avalanche photodiode as the receiver x-ray sensor.