Disclosed herein is a system for x-ray backscatter inspection. The system comprises an interior cavity. The system also comprises a non-conductive fluid contained within the interior cavity. The system additionally comprises a power source within the interior cavity and submerged in the non-conductive fluid. The system further comprises an x-ray cathode within the interior cavity, submerged in the non-conductive fluid, and coupled to the power source. The system also comprises an x-ray anode within the interior cavity, submerged in the non-conductive fluid, and positioned to receive an electron emission from the x-ray cathode to generate an x-ray emission. The system additionally comprises a thermoelectric cooler surrounding the interior cavity and operable to draw heat from the non-conductive fluid.