Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray source for generating substantially monochromatic fluorescent X-rays by means of a primary and a secondary target. The radiation source is characterized in that the primary target (10) is a liquid metal or a liquid metal alloy which is conducted between a first window (2) which is transparent to an electron beam and a second window (6) which is transparent to X-rays and is adjoined by the secondary target (11) in such a manner that the electrons which are incident on the primary target via the first window produce X-rays which have a maximum energy which corresponds essentially to an absorption edge of the secondary target when they reach the secondary target, so that substantially monochromatic fluorescent X-rays are excited in the secondary target.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray source that is provided with a liquid metal target and an electron source (3) for the emission of an electron beam (4) through a window (23) of a duct section (51) wherethrough the liquid metal target flows in the operating condition. The X-ray source is notably characterized in that the duct section (51) is formed by a first duct segment (10, 20) that includes the window (23) and wherethrough the liquid metal target flows, and by a second duct segment (30, 40) wherethrough a cooling medium flows and which is connected to the first duct segment in such a manner that the area in which the electron beam acts on the first duct segment is cooled.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray source that is provided with a liquid metal target and an electron source (3) for the emission of an electron beam (4) through a window (23) of a duct section (51) wherethrough the liquid metal target flows in the operating condition. The X-ray source is notably characterized in that the duct section (51) is formed by a first duct segment (10, 20) that includes the window (23) and wherethrough the liquid metal target flows, and by a second duct segment (30, 40) wherethrough a cooling medium flows and which is connected to the first duct segment in such a manner that the area in which the electron beam acts on the first duct segment is cooled.