Bremsstrahlung and polarization radiation in a medium of nuclei screened by atomic electrons: Spectral differences and material diagnostics

We consider the possibility of determining the parameters of nanoscale objects with the use of bremsstrahlung X-ray radiation produced upon the direct interaction of relativistic electrons with the object under analysis. The primary types of bremsstrahlung radiation of relativistic electrons (traditional bremsstrahlung radiation (BR) at atomic nuclei of matter and polarization bremsstrahlung radiation (PBR) at atomic electrons of matter) are discussed. Their spectral and angular characteristics are compared. It is demonstrated that the optimum amount of data is obtained in an experimental setup with PBR in the direction opposite to the electron’s velocity.