An apparatus and method for determining the density and other properties of a formation surrounding a borehole using a high voltage x-ray generator. One embodiment comprises a stable compact x-ray generator capable of providing radiation with energy of 250 keV and higher while operating at temperatures equal to or greater than 125.degree. C. In another embodiment, radiation is passed from an x-ray generator into the formation; reflected radiation is detected by a short spaced radiation detector and a long spaced radiation detector. The output of these detectors is then used to determine the density of the formation. In one embodiment, a reference radiation detector monitors a filtered radiation signal. The output of this detector is used to control at least one of the acceleration voltage and beam current of the x-ray generator.