Mike Lim Zin Ming 160110142004

Interactions at the atomic level

The high-speed electrons bombarding the target are involved in two main types of
collision with the tungsten atoms.

• Heat-producing collisions

• X-ray-producing collisions.

Heat-producing collisions

• The incoming electron is deflected by the cloud of outer-shell tungsten electrons,

with a small loss of energy, in the form of heat (Fig. 2.4A).

• The incoming electron collides with an outer shell tungsten electron displacing it to
an even more peripheral shell (excitation) or displacing it from the atom (ionization),
again with a small loss of energy in the form of heat (Fig. 2.4B) (1)
Important points to note

• Heat-producing interactions are the most common because there are millions of
incoming electrons and many outer-shell tungsten electrons with which to interact.

• Each individual bombarding electron can undergo many heat-producing collisions

resulting in a considerable amount of heat at the target.

• Heat needs to be removed quickly and efficiently to prevent damage to the target.
This is achieved by setting the tungsten target in the copper block, utilizing the high
thermal capacity and good conduction properties of copper. (1)

X-ray-producing collisions

• The incoming electron penetrates the outer electron shells and passes close to the
nucleus of the tungsten atom. The incoming electron is dramatically slowed down
and deflected by the nucleus with a large loss of energy which is emitted in the form
of X-rays (Fig. 2.5A).
• The incoming electron collides with an inner-shell tungsten electron displacing it to
an outer shell (excitation) or displacing it from the atom (ionization), with a large loss
of energy and subsequent emission of X-rays (Fig. 2.5B). (1)

Reference

1. Whaites E. Essentials of Dental Radiography and Radiology. Third Edit. 2002.