2. Characteristic x-rays result when the
interaction is sufficiently violent to ionize
the target atom through removal of an
inner shell electron and an outer electron
fills the vacancy.
5. Bremsstrahlung is a German word that mean
“slowed down radiation “. These are x-rays that
results from braking of projectile electrons by
the nucleus. Electrons are slowed and direction
is changed by the nuclear force field.
6.
7. - In diagnostic range, most x-rays are
bremsstrahlung x-rays.
8. Approximately 99% of kinetic energy of
projectile electrons is converted to heat
Only one percent of the electrons produced in
the cathode is converted to x-rays
9. The efficiency of x-ray production increases with
increasing kVp
- At 60 kVp only 0.5% of electrons are converted
to x-rays
- At 100 kVp only 1% is converted to x-rays
- At 20 MVp 70% is converted to x-rays
10. - At 65 kVp, no useful characteristic x-rays are
produced, therefore all x-rays produced are
bremsstrahlung.
- At 100 kVp, 15% of the x-ray beam is
characteristic and the other 95 % is
bremmstrahlung.
