X-rays are produced by interaction of accelerated electrons with tungsten nuclei within the tube anode
Two types of radiation are generated: characteristic radiation and bremsstrahlung (braking) radiation
Changing the X-ray machine current or voltage settings alters the properties of the X-ray beam
X-rays are produced within the X-ray machine, also known as an X-ray tube. No external radioactive material is involved.
Radiographers can change the current and voltage settings on the X-ray machine in order to manipulate the properties of the X-ray beam produced. Different X-ray beam spectra are applied to different body parts.
A small increase in the filament voltage (1) results in a large increase in tube current (2), which accelerates high speed electrons from the very high temperature filament negative cathode (3) within a vacuum, towards a positive tungsten target anode (4). This anode rotates to dissipate heat generated. X-rays are generated within the tungsten anode and an X-ray beam (5) is directed towards the patient.
X-rays are generated via interactions of the accelerated electrons with electrons of tungsten nuclei within the tube anode. There are two types of X-ray generated: characteristic radiation and bremsstrahlung radiation.
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) with a loss of energy emitted as an X-ray photon (4).
As a result of characteristic and bremsstrahlung radiation generation a spectrum of X-ray energy is produced within the X-ray beam.
This spectrum can be manipulated by changing the X-ray tube current or voltage settings, or by adding filters to select out low energy X-rays. In these ways radiographers are able to apply different spectra of X-ray beams to different body parts.
