Detailed simulation of the Cygnus rod pinch radiographic source

In this paper, we present results from particle-in-cell simulations of the nominally 2-MV, 40-kA CYGNUS radiographic machine using a standard rod pinch diode. The rod pinch electron beam diode consists of a small diameter, high atomic number anode extending through a thin cathode aperture. Significant shot-to-shot variation of the photon spectrum emerging from the anode can introduce error in interpreting the radiograph. We present results from these integrated simulations of electron and photon generation and quantify the sensitivities on the photon distribution and compare these to measured data.