Observation of X-rays during heating a pyroelectric crystal by an infrared laser

Abstract

Abstract A pyroelectric X-ray source is proposed, in which a lithium tantalate crystal is heated by an infrared laser with a wavelength of 10.6 μm. X-ray spectra measured during irradiation of the crystal with infrared radiation and during natural cooling of the crystal include characteristic X-ray radiation of atoms contained in the structural parts of the source, as well as bremsstrahlung of electrons with energies above 50 keV. An 8 mm sodium chloride window was used to inject 64 W infrared radiation into a vacuum chamber with the pyroelectric crystal installed.