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The tungsten plasma flash x-ray generator is useful in order to perform high-speed enhanced K-edge angiography using cone beams because Kα rays from the tungsten target are absorbed effectively by gadolinium-based contrast media. In the flash x-ray generator, a 150 nF condenser is charged up to 80 kV by a power supply, and flash x-rays are produced by the discharging. The x-ray tube is a demountable diode, and the turbomolecular pump evacuates air from the tube with a pressure of approximately 1 mPa. Since the electric circuit of the high-voltage pulse generator employs a cable transmission line, the high-voltage pulse generator produces twice the potential of the condenser charging voltage. At a charging voltage of 80 kV, the estimated maximum tube voltage and current were approximately 160 kV and 40 kA, respectively. When the charging voltage was increased, the characteristic x-ray intensities of tungsten Kα lines increased. Using an ytterbium oxide filter, the Kα lines were clean, and hardly any Kβ lines and bremsstrahlung rays were detected. The x-ray pulse widths were approximately 60 ns, and the time-integrated x-ray intensity had a value of approximately 50 μGy at 1.0 m from the x-ray source with a charging voltage of 80 kV. Angiography was performed using a film-less computed radiography system and gadolinium-based contrast media. In angiography of non-living animals, we observed fine blood vessels of approximately 100 μm with high contrasts.
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