Efficient bremsstrahlung converter

A system for producing radioisotopes, the system comprising:

• a converter for generating photons from an electron beam, the converter comprising:
• a plurality of converter plates (i) positioned perpendicular to an axis and (ii) arranged sequentially in a direction along the axis from a first converter plate of the plurality of converter plates to a last converter plate of the plurality of converter plates;
• the first converter plate configured to receive an electron beam traveling in the direction along the axis;
• and
• the first converter plate having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the last converter plate, wherein a thickness of a particular converter plate is measured along the axis;
• and
• a target housing positioned downstream of the converter, in the direction along the axis, such that photons produced by the converter using the electron beam irradiate the target housing,
• wherein one or more of the plurality of converter plates are made of a first material and one or more of the plurality of converter plates are made of a second material that is different from the first material, and
• wherein each of the plurality of converter plates comprises a material with an atomic number equal to or above 72.

A method for producing radioisotopes, the method comprising:

• directing an electron beam along an axis towards a converter configured to convert the electron beam into photons, the converter comprising:
• a plurality of converter plates (i) positioned perpendicular to the axis and (ii) arranged sequentially in a direction along the axis from a first converter plate of the plurality of converter plates to a last converter plate of the plurality of converter plates;
• the first converter plate configured to receive the electron beam traveling in the direction along the axis;
• and
• the first converter plate having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the last converter plate, wherein a thickness of a particular converter plate is measured along the axis;
• and
• positioning, downstream of the converter in the direction along the axis, a target housing supporting a target, such that the target is irradiated by the photons produced by the converter,
• wherein one or more of the plurality of converter plates are made of a first material and one or more of the plurality of converter plates are made of a second material that is different from the first material, and
• wherein each of the plurality of converter plates comprises a material with an atomic number equal to or above 72.