Quasi-continuous X-ray generation in LiTaO3-based pyroelectric accelerator driven by periodically varying temperature

Nowadays, X-ray sources are advanced tools used to probe the properties of matter and dynamic systems. Large scale accelerator based light source facilities have been constructed around the Globe to meet the scientific, technological and societal needs. Development of compact pocket-style X-ray systems meeting safety regulations is a complementary task requiring stable, reliable, and reproducible sources of X-rays with controllable parameters. In this research we employed a new approach for pyroelectric accelerator operation. Periodically varying temperature of LiTaO₃ crystal enabled us to generate stable quasi-continuous X-ray beam. We managed to observe and characterise the avalanche process at pyroelectric effect. This phenomenon is responsible for multiplication of electrons at the anode while producing X-rays. We have demonstrated the great potential of this compact X-ray source by performing reliable energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy for element analysis of two solid samples.