X-ray propagation through hollow channel: PolyCAD - a ray tracing code (1)

A new CAD program, PolyCAD, designed for X-ray photon tracing in polycapillary optics is described. To understand the PolyCAD code and its results, the theoretical basis of X-ray transmission by a single cylindrical channel (monocapillary) is discussed first. Then the simplest cases of cylindrically and conically shaped polycapillary optics are examined. PolyCAD allows any type of X-ray source to be used: an X-ray tube of finite beam dimensions or an astrophysical object can be simulated in combination with the polycapillary optics. The radiation distribution images formed on a screen located at various focal distances are discussed. The good agreement of some of the PolyCAD results with those reported in earlier papers validate the code. This is the first paper of a series dedicated to the development of an exhaustive CAD program, work is in progress to develop the code to include other polycapillary-optics shapes, such as semi-lenses and full-lenses.