A compact electron cyclotron resonance plasma x-ray source, which has a potential use for medical imaging is presented in this article. In this article, the experimental system and the characterization studies on plasma and x ray are presented. Using a Langmuir probe, the plasma parameters are measured for different magnetic field profiles and gas pressures. The x-ray spectrum is obtained for various gas pressures and magnetic field profiles. In the x-ray spectrum, the Bremstrahlung radiation, peaking at 20–60 keV is observed and the final energy of the x ray is extended up to ∼200 keV. Thermo luminescence dosimeter (CaSO4 sample) is used for estimating the dose at the port and these results are presented for typical x-ray spectra. Using a teletector, the dose at the port for various coil current is measured and these are compared with the estimated dose obtained from the x-ray spectrum.

The electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma x-ray source has a potential application for medical imaging. The plasma and x-ray characterization studies on the ECR x-ray source based on cylindrical cavity operated in TE111 mode were reported earlier by us. In order to enhance the x-ray flux and the effective energy of the x-ray spectrum, the use of rectangular cavity in ECR x-ray source is studied. In this article, the theoretical analysis of electron acceleration in TE101 rectangular cavity used as a cyclotron resonance accelerator is presented. The electron orbital values of rectangular cavity are compared with that of cylindrical cavity (TE111 mode). It is found that there is an increase in final energy of electron (170 keV), reduction in electron transit time, and increase in distance between the successive orbits in the rectangular cavity than the cylindrical cavity. An ECR x-ray source based on rectangular cavity has been designed and constructed and the experimental system is described.

A novel electron cyclotron resonance x-ray source is constructed based on the ECR technique. In this paper, the possibility of using the ECR x-ray source for producing UV rays by optimizing the plasma parameters is explored. X-ray and UV emissions from the ECR x-ray source are carried out for argon, nitrogen, and CO(2) plasma. The x-ray spectral and dose measurements are carried with NaI(Tl) based spectrometer and dosimeter, respectively. For UV measurement, a quartz window arrangement is made at the exit port and the UV intensity is measured at 5 cm from the quartz plate using UV meter. The x-ray and UV emissions are carried out for different microwave power levels and gas pressures. The x-ray emission is observed in the pressure range < or =10(-5) Torr, whereas the UV emission is found to be negligible for the gas pressures <10(-5) Torr and it starts increasing in the pressure range between 10(-5) and 10(-3) Torr. At high-pressure range, collision frequency of electron-atom is large which leads to the higher UV flux. At low pressure, the electron-atom collision frequency is low and hence the electrons reach high energy and by hitting the cavity wall produces higher x-ray flux. By choosing proper experimental conditions and plasma gas species, the same source can be used as either an x-ray source or an UV source.

Highlights Explored the ultrasonication aided novel fabrication process for Al/SiC cermet. This novel process enhanced the interfacing bonding between SiC & aluminium. SEM images confirm the nanoparticles homogeneous distribution & low-level porosity.

From the ECR plasma, hot electrons leak across the magnetic lines of force and by striking the plasma chamber produce bremsstrahlung x-rays. The wall bremsstrahlung gives information on the confinement status of hot electron. In our studies, experimental measurements are carried out in NANOGAN electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source for the wall bremsstrahlung x-rays and the results are presented. While optimizing a particular charge state in ECR ion source, experimental parameters are adjusted to get a maximum current. The wall bremsstrahlung components are studied in these cases for understanding the hot electron confinement conditions.