Production of X-Rays, Production of an x ray beam, x ray production focusing of electrons | Radiology Buzz

PRODUCTION OF X-RAYS

X-ray are produced by energy conversion when a fast moving stream of electron is suddenly decelerated in the Target Anode of an x-ray tube.

Fig.1 X-Ray Tube

The x-ray tube is made of Pyrex glass that enclose a vacuum containing two electrodes (This is a diode tube).

Diode Definition - An electronic device in which the electric current flows in one direction only.

Electrons are produced by the heated tungsten filament and accelerated across the tube to hit the tungsten target, where x-ray are produced.

This section will describe the design of the x-ray tube and will review the way in which x-rays are produced.

The electrodes are designed so that electrons produced at the Cathode (negative electrode of filament) can be accelerated by a high potential difference to ward the Anode (Positive or Target electrode).

POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE - The difference of SUMMARY-

1. A current is passed through the tungsten filament and heat it up.

2.As it is heated up the increased energy enables electrons to be released from the filament trough Thermionic emission.

THERMIONIC EMISSION- The process by which free electrons are emitted from the surface of a metal when external heat energy is applied is called thermionic emission.

3-The electrons are attracted towards the positively charged anode and hit the tungsten target with a maximum energy determined by the tube potential (Voltage).

4-As the electrons bombard the target they interact via bremsstrahlung and characteristic interaction which result in conversion of energy into heat (99%) and x-ray photons (1%).
5-The x-ray photons are released in a beam with a range of energies (x-ray spectrum) out of the window of the tube and form the basis for x-ray image formation.

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