X-RAY GENERATION BY THE SMITH-PURCELL EFFECT

Smith-Purcell (S-P) radiation is produced when electrons graze the surface of a grating. Calculations based on the theory of diffraction radiation show that, given severe restrictions on e--beam quality, S-P radiation is highly efficient. Efficient S-P x-ray generation requires relativistic e- beams having a transverse momentum and dimension whose product approaches the Heisenberg uncertainty limit.