The Physics of X-ray

Production

Professor Akintade Dare, DDS, Ph.D., ARRT, RT.

Visiting Professor & Head of Department
Department of Radiography & Radiation
Science
Lead City University, Ibadan
 Lecture Topics
• X-ray production physics
• The x-ray tube
- Main components
– Cathode
– Anode
– Anode angle
– Focal spot size
– Heel effect
– Leakage Radiation
– Filtration
– Collimators
 Learning Objectives
•Describe the characteristics of the x-ray spectrum.
• Identify the components of an x-ray tube
• Explain the concepts of space charge limited and
emission limited.
• Explain the line focus principle.
• Describe the trade-offs in choosing an anode angle.
• Describe the heel effect and how it impacts patient
positioning.
• Explain off-focus radiation.
• Describe why added filtration is used and list what
typical materials are used.
• Explain the benefits of collimation and how it is achieved
The X-Ray Tube

© Bushberg, Seibert, Leidholdt and Boone

 So what do we need to
produce X-ray?
• We need to shoot many electrons with high KE
at atoms with high Z.

• So we need:

• Source of free electrons

• A way to accelerate the electrons
• A target for the electrons with high

Z and high melting point

What creates x-rays?
 Bremsstrahlung Radiation

• X-ray energy produced by Bremsstrahlung

varies depending on electron distance from nucleus
• Continuous distribution.
• Minimum x-ray energy = ~0.
• Maximum x-ray energy = electron KE.
• Ratio of electron energy loss by Bremsstrahlung
to exc/ion = KEe_ * Z / 820,000
• Very low efficiency process
• Most energy lost by exc/ion.
Bremsstrahlung Output
What else creates X-rays?
Realistic X-ray Spectrum
Characteristic Energies of
Common Target Materials
The X-ray Tube
The X-ray Tube
Important Settings
Cathode
Focusing Cup
Focusing Cup
Space Charge Limited
Space Charge Limited
Anode
Fixed Anode Tubes
Rotating Anode Tubes
Rotating Anode
Effect of rotating the anode
How is the rotation achieved?
The Wisdom Bird

THANK YOU !!!