  X-rays have widespread applications in science and industry, but developing a
simple, compact, and high-quality X-ray source remains a challenge. Our
collaboration has explored the possible use of channeling radiation driven by a
50 MeV low-emittance electron beam to produce narrowband hard X-rays with
photon energy of 40 to 140 keV. Here we present the simulated X-ray spectra
including the background bremsstrahlung contribution, and a description of the
required optimization of the relevant electron-beam parameters necessary to
maximize brilliance of the resulting X-ray beam. Results are presented from our
test of this, carried out at the Fermilab Accelerator Science & Technology
(FAST) facility's 50-MeV low-energy electron injector. As a result of the beam
parameters, made possible by the photo-injector based SRF linac, the average
brilliance at FAST was expected to be about one order of magnitude higher than
that in previous experiments.
