PRODUCTION

OF X-RAYS
RADIATION

Radiation can be categorized according to their effect into 2 types

Ionizing Nonionizing

Electromagnetic Electromagnet
waves waves

Particles
 Ionizing radiation
• Radiations that ionize atoms with which they interact.
• Divided into particle radiations and electromagnetic waves.
X-RAYS

 X-rays are a type of ionizing electromagnetic

radiation.
 All electromagnetic radiations consist of
photons, which are individual packets of
energy. For example, a household light bulb
emits about 1021 photons of light (non-
ionizing radiation) per second.
 X-rays are commonly produced in X-ray
tubes by accelerating electrons through a
potential difference and directing them onto
a target material made of tungsten.
 PRODUCTION OF X-RAYS

 X-rays are produced by interaction

of accelerated electrons with
tungsten nuclei within the tube
anode.
 Two types of x-rays are generated:
1. bremsstrahlung (braking) x-rays.
2. characteristic x-rays.
BREMSSTRAHLUNG/BRAKING X-RAY GENERATION

 When an electron passes near the

nucleus it is slowed and its path is
deflected. Energy lost is emitted as a
bremsstrahlung X-ray photon.
 Bremsstrahlung = Braking radiation
 Approximately 80% of X-rays within
the X-ray beam consists of X-rays
generated in this way.
 CHARACTERISTIC X-RAY GENERATION
 When a high energy electron (1) collides
with an inner shell electron (2) both are
ejected from the tungsten atom leaving a
'hole' in the inner layer. This is filled by
an outer shell electron (3) This process of
electron transfer between shells produces
x-rays (4) that are "characteristic" of the
binding energies of that particular
atom/material, hence the name.
 Accounts for the remaining 20% of x-rays
in the x-ray beam.
As a result of characteristic and bremsstrahlung radiation generation a
spectrum of X-ray energy is produced within the X-ray beam.
THE X-RAY TUBE

 An x-ray tube functions as a

specific energy converter,
receiving electrical energy and
converting it into two other forms
of energy: x-radiation (1%) and
heat (99%) with heat being
considered the undesirable
product of this conversion
process.
THE X-RAY TUBE

 The x-ray tube contains two principal

elements:
1. filament (also acts as cathode): boils
off electrons by a process called
thermionic emission.
2. target (also acts as anode): electrons
strike to produce x-rays.
 TUBE HOUSING
 X-ray tube is situated in a protective housing
that provides solid, stable mechanical support.
This housing is a lead-lined metal structure.
 The design of the housing incorporates an oil
bath and cooling fans to help dissipate heat
away from the tube, protecting it from
thermal damage.
 X-rays are produced isotropically (in all
directions) and another role of the housing is
to absorb most of the photons traveling in
directions other than toward the patient.
THE X-RAY TUBE

 The primary purpose of the glass or metal enclosure of the x-ray tube is to
maintain a vacuum so that electrons from the air do not contribute to the electron
stream, which would disrupt the x-ray production process and damage the tube.
 The glass envelope is generally made of borosilicate glass because it is very heat
resistant.
 The filament is supported by a “focusing cup” which helps concentrate the
electron stream on the “focal spot” in the anode target.
 Recent x-ray tubes possess rotating anodes so electrons would not always hit the
same focal spot. Instead, a “focal track” is created which extends tube lifetime.
WHY TUNGSTEN?

 The target area (focal track) on the anode is made of tungsten for these reasons:
1. High atomic number (74W) increases the probability of x-ray production.
2. High melting point (withstands heat).
3. Heat conduction (dissipates heat away from the tube).