Radiographic Physics - X-Ray Production

Front 1

What is the primary purpose of the step down transformer on the filament circuit?

Back 1

To increase amperage by stepping down voltage so you have high current going to the filament

Front 2

What are the 4 conditions necessary to create x-rays?

Back 2

1. separation of electrons (thermionic emmision)
2. high speed electrons (kVp)
3. concentration of electrons (focus cup) (this one not necessary-just makes it more efficient)
4. stoppage of electrons (anode)

Front 3

What are the 3 results of target interactions of electrons hitting anode?

Back 3

1. heat
2. Bremsstralung interactions
3. Characteristic interactions

Front 4

How much of the beam results from Bremsstralung interactions?

Back 4

85-100%

Front 5

What is Bremsstralug interactions?

Back 5

Braking or slowing
Brems
Brems interaction only occurs when the incident electron interacts with the force field of the nucleus
causing release of energy in the form of x-ray photons

Front 6

The closer the electrons get to the nucleus the greater the energy level of the photons produced when looking at Brem's
True or false

Back 6

True

Front 7

What is a characteristic interaction?

Back 7

Incident electron interacts with K-shell electron
Incident electron continues in slightly different direction
Kinetic energy must overcome binding energy
Occurs in techniques using 70 kVp or higher
Electron interaction with the electron in the orbit of the tungsten atom
Electron must have enough energy to knock out an inner shell electron
This creates a hole that is filled by another electron from the outer shell.
This electron has too much energy for this shell therefore gives it off in the form of an x-ray photon

Front 8

characteristic radiation is homogeneous while brems is heterogeneous.
True or false

Back 8

True, characteristic is released at 69.5 kev level while brems comes out at all different levels