Simulation Analysis of a Pulsed Compact FLTD System for Large-Area Hard X-Ray Sources

High-power pulses with edges rising in tens of nanoseconds can be directly produced using a fast linear transformer driver (FLTD). The use of FLTDs facilitates the driving of various high-power electron-beam diodes through vacuum- or magnetically insulated transmission lines (MITLs) and consequently makes radiation simulation sources relatively compact. This paper investigates and optimizes the conformations and parameters of the secondary MITLs, diodes, and bremsstrahlung converter targets through the circuit simulation, particle-in-cell simulation, and Monte Carlo simulation, with a focus on the parameters of a pulse source from a two-level FLTD connected in series. The simulations reveal the influence of voltage on changes in diode with alternating cathode and anode and the relationship between the parameters of the composite target structure, photon/electron transfer efficiency, and radiation energy spectra. The distribution, evenness, and energy fluence of the radiation field in the electron-beam diode driven by the two-level FLTD connected in series are also determined. Results show that the FLTD system shows a significant potential in constructing compact hard X-ray sources.