Method to Generate a Large Number of Slow Positrons with a Modular Photon-Positron Converter

Abstract
A simple method of producing an intense beam of slow positrons is proposed. X-rays radiating forward from a high Z target at the bombardment of pulsed e-beams penetrate many thin tungsten foil strips which are aligned parallel and assembled into a stack of modules with grids on one side. Stepwise electric potentials applied between the neighbouring modules produce the grid focussing field for collecting slow positrons emerging from the strip surfaces. The total wide surface area and the effective collection realize a high production rate of slow positrons above 1014 s-1 during the pulse of a 35 MeV, 0.5 A LINAC.