Production of X-ray & Factors

controlling X-ray Beams

DR.ANKUR SHARMA
Department of Oral Medicine &
Radiology
Batch 2015-18

X-rays

Frequencies: >3 x 1016 Hz.

Wavelengths: <10 nm.
Quantum energies: >124 eV.

X-ray production
High

energy electrons, accelerated by thousands of

kilovolts of potential, interact with a metal target in
an x-ray tube.

X-ray production
X-rays

are produced when the electrons are

suddenly decelerated upon collision with the metal
target (brehmsstrahlung) or "braking radiation".

If

the bombarding electrons have sufficient energy,

they can knock an electron out of an inner shell of
the target metal atoms.

Then

electrons from higher states drop down to fill

the vacancy, emitting x-ray photons with precise
energies determined by the electron energy levels
(characteristic x-rays).

Bremsstrahlung X-rays

Radiation which is emitted

when electrons are
decelerated or braked
when they are fired at a
metal target.

Accelerated charges give

off electromagnetic
radiation

When the energy of the

bombarding electrons is
high enough, that radiation
is in the x-ray region of the
electromagnetic spectrum.

Bremsstrahlung is characterized by a
continuous distribution of radiation.

Characteristic X-rays
Electrons make
transitions between lower
atomic energy levels in
heavy elements. They
have definite energies
since they have energies
determined by the atomic
energy levels.

Vacancies are produced in the K-shell of the

atom and electrons drop down to fill the gap.

X-ray Generators

Generator of power for x-ray tube.

Control of energy and exposure.

Tube voltage (kV) Energy.

Tube current (mA) Radiation Quantity.
Exposure time (s) Exposure.

Transformers: Transforming the input voltage (Up or

Down). Step-up transformer used in x-ray generators to
increase voltage (up to 150 kV).

Rectification: Changing Alternating Current (AC) voltage

to Direct Current (DC) in the x-ray tube.

X-ray Tube

X-ray Tube - Cathode

Cathode filament is a coiled tungsten wire which is the

source of electrons.

Cathode focusing cup to direct electrons to target.

The cathode acts to excite electrons to the point where

they become free from their parent atom and are then
able to become part of the electron beam.

The cathode acts as a negative electrode and propels

the free electrons, in the form of an electron beam,
towards the positive electrode (the anode).

X-ray Tube Anode 1

The anode acts as a positive electrode, attracting the

free electrons and accelerating the electrons through
the electromagnetic field that exists between the anode
and cathode.

This increases the velocity of the electrons, building

potential energy. The higher the kV rating, the greater
the speed at which the electrons are propelled through
the gap between the cathode and anode.

X-ray Tube Anode 2

The electrons then impact a target (e.g., tungsten,

molybdenum). This causes the release of the potential
energy built up by the acceleration of the electrons
comprising the electron beam.

Most of this energy is converted to heat and is radiated

by the copper portions of the anode. The remainder is
refracted off of the target in the form of high energy
photons, or x-rays, forming the x-ray beam.

Why rotating anode?

X-ray Tube

X-ray Tube - Glass envelope

Glass

envelope: The above components are

sealed into a glass envelope. This allows for
gases and other impurities to be pumped out
of the tube, creating the vacuum necessary for
proper performance.

X-ray Tube Focal Spot

Focal spot is the apparent source of x-rays.

Focal spot size is the dimension of x-ray source as

viewed from the image.

Focal spot size is affected by:

Cathode filament shape.

Focusing cup.
Electric field between anode and cathode.

Focal spot size affects x-ray images.

Smaller focal spot size produce sharper image (better resolution).

What is the Line Focus Principle?