The Anode Heel Effect and Line Focus Principle

Notebook #12

Laura Ramirez
December 7, 2016
RTE 141
Professor Yost

Anode Heel Effect:

Anode Heel Effect:

The use of the line-focus principles causes a problem that is known as the anode heel effect.
Because of the geometry of an angled anode target, the radiation intensity is greater on the
cathode side. As electrons bombard the target, x-rays are produced and most are emitted at
angles between 45 degrees and 90 degrees in the direction of the electron travel. A smaller angle
would make a smaller focal spot. A phenomenon in which the intensity of the x-ray beam is
greater towards the cathode side of the tube than the anode side of the tube. The anode heel
effect of the output beam from an X-ray tube can reduce the effective dose to patients in some
common radiological examinations.

Line Focus Principle:

Line Focus Principle:

The line-focus principle is used to reduce the effective area of the focal spot. This permits the
best resolution of detail while permitting a large an actual area as possible. The effective focalspot size is controlled by the size of the actual focal spot and the anode target angle. As the
actual focal-spot size increases, the effective focal size also increases. When the target angle is
less than the 45 degrees, the effective focal spot is smaller than the actual focal spot. The goal is
to use the largest actual focal spot possible (for thermal conductivity) and the smallest effective
focal spot (for maximum detail). The line-focus principle presents a situation in which both
aspects of the goal are met: a large actual focal spot and a small effective focal spot.