High-current reflex triode research

High-current (1–3 MA) reflex triodes are being developed as intense pulsed sources of moderate energy (200–1200 kV endpoint) bremsstrahlung. The triode consists of three coaxial electrodes: two hollow cylindrical cathodes and a flat anode foil between them. The grounded cathodes emit electrons that produce bremsstrahlung in the positive high voltage anode. The anode is made from thin tantalum (small fraction of the electron range) to minimize attenuation of the low energy portion of the x-ray spectrum. The electrons must make many passes through the tantalum to efficiently lose their energy and produce x-rays. This process is called reflexing. The triode configuration is thought to be the best way to accomplish this.