Anode X-ray Tube

1. Filament Circuit
2. Envelope
3. Tungsten Anode
4. Bearing
5. Stator Electromagnets
6. Armature
7. Rotating Portion
8. Molybdenum neck and base
9. Electron Beam
10. Filament
11. Thermionic Emission
12. Focusing Cup
13. Actual focal spot size (target)
14. Effective focal spot
15. Glass/ metal housing
16. Leftover electrons
1. Filament Circuit- supplies the filament of the x ray tube with the acceptable modified
power. It also modifies the incoming line power to produce the thermionic emission,
which produces electrons from the filament wire of the X-ray tube.

2. Envelope- is composed of the entire cathode and anode assembly. The envelope can be
made with a glass or metal structure. The Pyrex or metal used allows a vacuum to be
more efficient in allowing no air to enter. Envelope keeps air out which if allowed in
would which allows electrons to not be hindered the envelope keeps the air out which if
entering envelope would hinder electron movement. The Oil surrounds the envelope to
absorb the heat that dissipates.
3. Tungsten Anode- positive side and is the target for the electrons from the cathode.
4. Bearing- rotating of the anode on X-ray tube
5. Stator Electromagnets- Induction-motor electromagnets that turn the anode. The
electromagnetic affect causes the rotor to turn allowing isolating of the stator coils from
the high voltage exposure to be isolated.
6. Armature- a coil of wire that acts as a conductor
7. Rotating portion- this part of the anode rotates (turns) during exposure so heating
is displaced.
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8. Molybdenum neck and base- base of the focal track target

9. Electron Beam- Is greater on Cathode side than anode side.
10. Filament- is a small coil of thin thoriated tungsten wire. The function of the
filament is to provide sufficient emission of current
11. Thermionic Emission- electrons from a heated surface are emitted. Boiling
electrons off the filament in preparation for x ray production.
12. Focusing cup- keep electrons close together
13. Actual Focal spot size- is actual area on target where x-rays are emitted
14. Effective focal spot size- is beam directed towards patient
15. Glass/metal housing- Provide a vacuum
16. Leftover electrons- is DC current that is reused
X-ray Tube Parts
In the x-ray tube, electric circuit, the current flows from the negative side (cathode of the
circuit to the positive side. The purpose of cathode is the production of the thermionic
cloud and production of a high voltage current. The electrons from the cathode and leave
towards the anode are focused in a central beam. These electrons end up hitting the
anode (positive) that is the target. Cathode consists of the filament, focusing cup and
wiring. Filament is a tightly wound coil of wire. When the current passes through the
filament it heats up that electrons move. The focusing cup is composed of molybdenum
and is negatively charged. This cup forces the electrons to converge rather than separate
creating excitement in the electrons. The anode (target) is on the positive end of the X-ray
tube and consists of the anode, stator, and the rotor. The anode is the primary conductor
of heat that exits the tube and plays a vital role in the high voltage circuit. The envelope
contains the cathode and anode. An envelope can be made of Pyrex or metal both, which
contain electron. A vacuum is important with an envelope because all gases are removed
from the envelope that permits electrons to flow from the cathode to anode. There is a
window that is apart of the envelope that allows the primary beam to exit for production
of an x-ray. Housing protects the anode assembly along and is a protective barrier for
leaks or scatter radiation. X-ray beam gives us the x-ray image after it has hit the anode
target. From here we get an x-ray.
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Tungsten- is used because of its high melting point of (3,370 Celsius) and because its
difficult to vaporize (turn into gas) Melting point of tungsten is 3170c. This high melting
point allows the filament to operate at higher than normal required for an x-ray tube and
x- ray production.
Flow of electricity
The electrons enter from the cathode (filament) and go to the Anode (target). The
filament heats up on the cathode but because the wire is so thin and small when the
current flows through, the electrons break free causing thermionic emission. The filament
cup is a negative charge, which facilitates keeping the electrons flowing in a channel
close together. The electron beam is greater on cathode side but hits the Anode (actual
focal spot size. From here the x-ray beam (photons) hit the effective focal spot (patient)
producing an x-ray. The electrons that do not produce x-rays will return to the original
circuit and some will turn into heat.

References:
Carlton, R. R., & Adler, A. M. (2013). Principles of radiographic imaging: An art and a
science. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar/Cengage Learning.

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