Source of rectangular X-ray pulses for studying scintillators

A pulsed X-ray source has been designed and constructed with the following parameters: X-ray tube voltage, 10–50 kV; anode current, up to 2 A; pulse duration (smooth control), 80 ns–2 $\mu$s; and leading and trailing front width, 6 ns. The source can operate in both single-pulse and pulse-train mode with a repetition frequency of up to 2 kHz. The X-ray pulse has a rectangular shape with a relative amplitude instability below 0.8%. In combination with appropriate detection system, the proposed X-ray source allows the kinetics of X-ray-induced luminescence growth and decay to be measured in a six-decimal-order dynamic range with respect to time and amplitude. Examples of X-ray-induced luminescence kinetics measured in scintillators are presented.