Factors that affect the quality of the x-ray beam:

kVp:
Increasing kVp,
causes an increase
in the speed and
energy of the
electrons, resulting
in a beam with
greater
penetrability

X-ray quality is numerically represented by the half-value layer (HVL).

The HVL of an xray beam is that

thickness of
absorbing
materials needed
to reduce the x-ray
intensity (quantity)
to half its original
value.

It is an indirect
measure of the
total filtration in
the path of the xray beam.

If the HVL is at the appropraiate level, the total filtration in the x-ray tube is adequate
to protect the patient from unneccesary radiation

Inherent Filtration:
results from the
composition of the
tube and housing

Added Filtration:
any filtration that
occures outside of
the tube and
housing and
before the image
receptor

Compound
Filtration:
uses two or more
materias that
complement one
another in their
absorbing abilities

Compensating
Filtration:
designed to solve a
problem involving
unequal subject
densities

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As mAs increases, as
does th number of
electrons that are able to
cross the tube to reach
the target
Directly proportional to
the tube current

Inverse Square Law:

the intensity of radiation

at a given distance from
the point source is
inversely proportional to
the square of the distance

occur at the target as

kVp increases
Primary controller of
the differences in
densities/IR
exposures

mAs

kVp

Distance

Filtration
As filtration is
increased, beam
quality increases
but beam quantity
decreases

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