Submicrosecond, synchronizable x ray source

In the submicrosecond, synchronizable x-ray source a high intensity pulsed laser is focused onto negatively biased laser target, at high irradiance in a vacuum, producing high temperature plasma from which electrons are emitted. The emitted electrons are accelerated in a electric field formed by impressing a potential difference across a laser target-electron target gap. The positively biased electron collects the emitted electrons, which upon impact with the electron target cause x-rays to be emitted synchronously with the incident laser pulse.