The X-Ray Machine

X-Ray Machine
What is X-Rays

 Electromagnetic radiation

 Wavelength 0.01 to 10 nanometers

 Can penetrate some solids and liquids, and all uncompressed gases

 used for diagnostic radiology

3 Major elements of an X-Ray Machine
 1. Vacuum Tube
 Made up Pyrex glass

 Tungsten anode is enclosed along

with cathode

“  cathode or emitter
 2. High Voltage Power Source
 A transformer is used.

 Alternates between the voltage of

currents being sent to the emitter or

“ to the anode.

 Emitter requires small voltage

supply for small currents

 Anode needs a large voltage supply

 3. Operating Console
 Control unit

 Manages current, voltage and timer

 Current control allows adjustment of tube

“ current to vary radiation intensity

 Voltage controls allows adjustments in

anode to change energy of radiation

 Timer determines the duration of

exposure
X-ray Production
X-RAY TUBE

-X-ray are produced in the x-ray tube, which is located in the x-

ray tube head.
- X-ray are generated when electrons from the filament cross the
tube and interact with the target
- The two main component of the x-ray tube are the cathode and
the anode.
ANODE CATHODE
The anode in the X-ray The cathode is composed
tube is composed of a of tungsten filament which
tungsten target embedded is centered in a focusing
in a copper stem. cup.
Line Focus Principle

 The area struck by the electron, called the focal spot of X-ray
emission, is heated instantly.
 During X-ray production, a lot of heat is generated. if the
target is too small, it will overheat and burn up.
 in order to get a small focal spot , while maintaining an
adequately large target, the line focus principle is used.
HEEL EFFECTS
◦ The x-rays are produced at various depths in the target, they suffer
varying amounts of attenuation in the target.
Physics of X-Ray
Production
Bremsstrahlung X-
rays
◦ If an incoming free
electron gets close to the
nucleus of a target atom,
the strong electric field of
the nucleus will attract
the electron, thus
changing direction and
speed of the electron.
Characteristics X-Rays
◦ when the energy of an
electron incident on the
target exceeds the binding
energy of an electron of a
target atom, it is
energeically possible for
a collision interaction to
eject the electron and
ionize the atom.
Overview of X-Ray
Tube
▫ Electrical device used for the generation of x-
rays.
▫ This is accomplished bythe acceleration of
electrons and then suddenly decelerating them.
▫ The energy of the x-rays is dependent on the
kinetic energy of the electrons
X-RAY Tube Components

▫ Glass Envelope
▫ Cathode
▫ Anode
▫ Protective Housing
1. Glass Envelope

▫ Made of Pyrex glass

▫ Tube maintains a vacuum
▫ Tube window
2. CATHODE
▫ Negatively charges electrode
▫ Two primary part
-Filament
-Focusing Cup
2.1 FOCUSING CUP

◦ Metallic shorud containing the two filaments

◦ Contains a negative charge
2.2 FILAMENT

◦ Small coil of thoriated tungsten

◦ When machine is truned on, small amount of
current flows through to heat filament
3. ANODE

◦ Positively charged electrode

◦ Two types
-Stationary anode
-Rotating anode
Stationary Anode Rotating Anode
◦ Made of tungsten target
◦ Constructed of tungsten
embedded in a large copper
bar. target
◦ Usually used in dental x-ray
machine
4. Protective Housing

◦ X-ray is always mounted inside a lead-lined

protective housing that is designed to:
-prevent excessive radiation
-prevent electric shock to the patient and operator.