PLAXA proposes the use of an X-ray source, produced by a plasma obtained focusing a laser beam on a target, in applications in the field of radiobiology and mammography.
In particular, as the first objective, it wants to realize a microbeam based on the use of focussing optics (mirrors, multilayers, crystals of mica curved plates and parts) for photon energy of 284 eV and 500 eV photons and including between 1 - 1.5 keV for applications in radiobiological.
The second aim consists in the search of the optimal conditions for the generation of an X-ray beam to be employed in radiolographic diagnostic. This is possible because the electron emissivity of the produced plasma is higher than the hot filament of the conventional X-ray tubes, because of the density (1019 cm-3) and of the higher energy of the electrons (100 eV) emitted from the plasma.
Moreover, the number of electrons emitted by the cathode-plasma is independent of the accelerating electric field. These allows to optimize the intensity of the bremmsstrahlung radiation respect to the characteristic lines of the anode and thus improving the monochromaticity of the X-ray beam.