Broad aperture X-ray generator

Claim 1

An X-ray generator comprising: a transmissive target having a width many times greater than its depth; means for illuminating a first surface of said target with electrons of sufficient energy to excite X-ray emission from said target, at least a portion of said emission occurring from a second surface of said target opposite said first surface, said illuminating means being structured to uniformly illuminate said first surface of said target; a substrate transparent to X-radiation positioned contiguous said second surface of said target for supporting said target in spaced relation to said illuminating means; and window means comprising a region transparent to x-radiation bounded by a housing opaque to X-radiation, said window means being positioned relative to said second surface of said target and oriented thereto at an angle of approximately 80° to 85° for passing radiation emitted from said second surface of said target in a direction approximately 80° to 85° relative to a normal of said second surface, said housing of said window means being positioned relative to said target for inhibiting the passage of X-radiation emitted at an angle outside the range of approximately 80° to 85° relative to a normal of said second surface of said target, thereby providing a higher percentage of fluorescent X-ray lines relative to the entire spectrum of the emitted X-radiation.