A portable x-ray source, comprising: a distributed x-ray generator array; a means of producing high voltages, wherein said high voltages are capable of powering the distributed x-ray generator array; and a means for collimating x-rays emitted by the distributed x-ray generator array to be within an area at a given distance; wherein the distributed x-ray generator array comprises: a plurality of electron field emitters; a plurality of targets, wherein each target is capable of emitting x-ray photons when electrons are incident upon an area of said target comprised of a material effective at high-energy bremsstrahlung, and wherein each target is aligned with an electron field emitter; a means of withstanding high-voltage between the electron field emitters and the targets; a means of spacing the electron field emitters from the targets; a means of selectively controlling the emission of x-rays from the distributed x-ray generator array, comprising a plurality of emission controls capable of preventing electrons emitted by the electron field emitters from striking the area of said targets comprised of a material effective at high-energy bremsstrahlung; an enclosure wherein said plurality of electron field emitters and plurality of targets are maintained in a vacuum; and a means of filtering low-energy x-ray photons. a distributed x-ray generator array; a means of producing high voltages, wherein said high voltages are capable of powering the distributed x-ray generator array; and a means for collimating x-rays emitted by the distributed x-ray generator array to be within an area at a given distance; wherein the distributed x-ray generator array comprises: a plurality of electron field emitters; a plurality of targets, wherein each target is capable of emitting x-ray photons when electrons are incident upon an area of said target comprised of a material effective at high-energy bremsstrahlung, and wherein each target is aligned with an electron field emitter; a means of withstanding high-voltage between the electron field emitters and the targets; a means of spacing the electron field emitters from the targets; a means of selectively controlling the emission of x-rays from the distributed x-ray generator array, comprising a plurality of emission controls capable of preventing electrons emitted by the electron field emitters from striking the area of said targets comprised of a material effective at high-energy bremsstrahlung; an enclosure wherein said plurality of electron field emitters and plurality of targets are maintained in a vacuum; and a means of filtering low-energy x-ray photons. a plurality of electron field emitters; a plurality of targets, wherein each target is capable of emitting x-ray photons when electrons are incident upon an area of said target comprised of a material effective at high-energy bremsstrahlung, and wherein each target is aligned with an electron field emitter; a means of withstanding high-voltage between the electron field emitters and the targets; a means of spacing the electron field emitters from the targets; a means of selectively controlling the emission of x-rays from the distributed x-ray generator array, comprising a plurality of emission controls capable of preventing electrons emitted by the electron field emitters from striking the area of said targets comprised of a material effective at high-energy bremsstrahlung; an enclosure wherein said plurality of electron field emitters and plurality of targets are maintained in a vacuum; and a means of filtering low-energy x-ray photons.