X-ray source using electron impact excitation of high velocity liquid metal beam

An X-ray generating apparatus comprising:

• a liquid metal source at which a Taylor cone of liquid metal may be formed;
• an extraction electrode that accelerates liquid metal ions or ionized droplets from the liquid metal source to form a liquid metal beam in a first direction;
• an ion focusing lens that focuses the liquid metal beam;
• an excitation beam source that outputs an excitation beam that intersects the liquid metal beam and excites the liquid metal therein to produce X-rays;
• and
• a beam dump that collects the liquid metal beam after intersection by the excitation beam.

A method of generating X-rays, the method comprising:

• providing a source of liquid metal;
• accelerating liquid metal ions or ionized droplets electrostatically from the liquid metal source to form a liquid metal beam in a first direction;
• and
• transmitting an excitation beam that intersects the liquid metal beam and excites the liquid metal therein to produce said X-rays.