Chapter 6X-ray Production, X-ray Tubes, and X-ray GeneratorsX-rays are produced when highly energetic electrons interact with matter, converting some of their kinetic energy into electromagnetic radiation. A device that produces x-rays in the diagnostic energy range typically contains an electron source, an evacuated path for electron acceleration, a target electrode, and an external power source to provide a high voltage (potential difference) to accelerate the electrons. Specifically, the x-ray tube insert contains the electron source and target within an evacuated glass or metal envelope; the tube housing provides protective radiation shielding and cools the x-ray tube insert; the x-ray generator supplies the voltage to accelerate the electrons; x-ray beam filters at the tube port shape the x-ray energy spectrum; and collimators define the size and shape of the x-ray field incident on the patient. The generator also permits control of the x-ray beam characteristics through the selection of voltage, current, and exposure time. These components work in concert to create a beam of x-ray photons of welldefined intensity, penetrability, and spatial distribution. In this chapter, the x-ray creation process, characteristics of the x-ray beam, and equipment components are discussed.6.1 Production of X-raysBremsstrahlung SpectrumX-rays are created from the conversion of kinetic energy of electrons into electromagnetic radiation when they are decelerated by interaction with a target material. A simplified diagram of an x-ray tube (Fig. 6-1) illustrates these components. For diagnostic radiology, a large electric potential difference (the SI unit of potential difference is the volt, V) of 20,000 to 150,000 V (20 to 150 kV) is applied between two electrodes (the cathode and the anode) in the vacuum. The cathode is the source of electrons, and the anode, with a positive potential with respect to the cathode, is the target of electrons. As electrons from the cathode travel to the anode, they are accelerated by the voltage between the electrodes and attain kinetic energies equal to the product of the electrical charge and potential difference (see Appendix A). A common unit of energy is the electron volt (eV), equal to the energy attained by an electron accelerated across a potential difference of 1 V. Thus, the kinetic energy of an electron accelerated by a potential difference of 50 kV is 50 keV. One eV is a very small amount of energy, as there are 6.24 × 1018 eV/j.On impact with the target, the kinetic energy of the electrons is converted to other forms of energy. The vast majority of interactions are collisional, whereby energy exchanges with electrons in the target give rise to heat. A small fraction of the accelerated electrons comes within the proximity of an atomic nucleus and is influenced by its positive electric field. As discussed in Chapter 3, electrical (Coulombic) forces attract and decelerate an electron and change its direction, causing a loss of kinetic energy, which is emitted as an x-ray photon of equal energy (i.e., bremsstrahlung radiation).
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