Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A method for decontaminating biological pathogens in a contaminated environment, comprising:tailoring x-ray radiation spectrum to match absorption characteristics of a contaminated environment;generating x-ray radiation having a diffused radiation angle by accelerating electrons from a cathode towards a concave surface of an anode and in accordance with the absorption characteristics of the contaminated environment; anddirecting the x-ray radiation towards the contaminated environment. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein tailoring x-ray radiation further comprises determining a photon energy for the x-ray radiation that adequately penetrates the absorption materials found in the contaminated environment. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein tailoring x-ray radiation further comprises determining a dose of x-ray radiation needed to kill a biological pathogen residing in the contaminated environment. 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating x-ray radiation having the diffused radiation angle by electrically grounding the cathode to eliminate any self-bias voltage. 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating x-ray radiation having the diffused radiation angle by disposing a secondary electrode proximate to the cathode for shaping the x-ray radiation. 6. A method for decontaminating biological pathogens in a contaminated environment, comprising:identifying a primary absorption material found in the contaminated environment;determining a dose of x-ray radiation needed to kill a biological pathogen residing in the contaminated environment, the x-ray radiation having a photon energy that penetrates the absorption material;generating x-ray radiation having a diffused radiation angle; anddirecting the diffused x-ray radiation towards the contaminated environment. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein determining a dose of x-ray radiation further comprisesplacing a known biological pathogen in a test environment;exposing the test environment to a calibrated dose of x-ray radiation; andmeasuring a survival rate of the biological pathogens in the test environment prior to decontaminating the contaminated environment. 8. The method of claim 7 further comprising placing an absorption material of interest between the source of x-ray radiation and the known biological pathogen. 9. The method of claim 6 further comprising generating the x-ray radiation having a photon energy approximately 8 keV when the absorption material in the contaminated environment is carpet. 10. The method of claim 6 further comprising generating the x-ray radiation having a photon energy approximately 18 keV when the absorption material in the contaminated environment is wood. 11. A method for decontaminating biological pathogens in a contaminated environment, comprising:identifying a primary absorption material found in the contaminated environment;determining a dose of x-ray radiation needed to kill a biological pathogen residing in the contaminated environment, the x-ray radiation having a photon energy that penetrates the absorption material;generating x-ray radiation having a diffused radiation angle by accelerating electrons from a cathode towards a concave surface of an anode, electrically grounding the cathode to eliminate self-bias voltage, and disposing a secondary electrode proximate to the cathode for shaping the radiation; anddirecting the diffused x-ray radiation towards the contaminated environment.