The line focus principle helps resolve the issue of needing a small focal spot for good image quality while also needing a large focal spot to protect the tungsten target from heat accumulation. It works by mounting the target at an angled position, so that the apparent or effective focal spot size seen from the position of the film is smaller than the actual focal spot size. The effective focal spot size can be calculated as the actual focal spot size multiplied by the sine of the anode angle. This allows heat to dissipate over a larger area while maintaining a small focal spot for image sharpness. A limitation is the anode heel effect caused by non-uniform radiation from different parts of the angled anode surface. The target angle

1. THE
LINE FOCUS
PRINCIPLE
Mohammed Althaf
BSc MIT 2nd year
AJ Institute of Medical Science

2. Concept:
A large focal spot is therefor useful to protect the tungsten target as
the accumulates and dissipates within the area of focal spot.
However, a small focal spot is required to achieve a good
radiographic image quality.
The line focus principle helps resolve this issue by starting that an
angulation of the anode surface will result in an apparent decrease in
the focal spot size.
The apparent focal spot(projected focal spot) size can be determined
by the sine of the angle of the anode surface.
Apparent focal spot size = real focal spot size * sin anode angle
The angle varies as per tube design with a range value of 6 degrees
to about 20 degrees

3. Line - focus Principle
The target of an X-ray tube is mounted at very
steep angle 𝜗 w.r.t. motion of incident electron.
Hence, the X-ray will come from a smaller focal
area.
Whereas the electrons bombard relatively a large
focal area.
So, suddenly heat is removed and also picture
sharpness is improved.

4. Consider, that are made to strike on a target of
Length ab &
Width cd
Let 𝜗 is the anode angle. Then
Effective focus = actual focus * sin of anode angle
cd = ab * sin 𝜗
For example, if 𝜗=16°, cd=2mm then ab=7.3mm
then, effective focus = 7.3mm * 16°
=2.012mm
In such tubes electrons bombarded on a rectangular area of 7.3mm*2mm
While the X-rays appear to come from an area of 2mm*2mm
Now, the loading gain is given by the relation,
Loading gain =actual focal spot area (ab) / effective focal area (cd)
If the 𝜗 is made smaller, the gain may be increased but the angular width of the useful cone of
radiation is reduced.

5. Line - focus principle
The area of the X-ray
tube anode from which
the X-ray photon are
emitted called Actual
focal spot.
The projection
perpendicular to the
central ray, which is its
apparent area from the
position of the film, is
the effective focal spot.

6. Line - focus principle
Was incorporated into x-
ray targets to allow a
larger area for heating
while maintaining a small
focal spot.
The effective focal spot is
the area projected onto
the patient and film.
Focal spot sizes always
make reference to the
effective focal spot.

7. Line - focus principle
The lower the target angle,
the smaller the effective
focal spot size.
The advantage of line-
focus principle is that it
provides the detail of a
small focal spot while
allowing a large amount of
heat dissipation.

8. Line - focus principle
The unfortunate bi-product of the line-focus
principle is the “anode heel effect”

9. Limitations of the principle.
There are two important aspects consider with regards to target angle.
1. Size of the apparent focal spot
2. Area covered by the x-ray beam
Firstly, for a given apparent focal spot size, the real are covered by the electron
beam is larger for smaller target angles which, as stated above allows a greater
area over which to dissipate the heat.
Secondly, for a smaller target angle, the area covered by the x-ray beam will be
smaller so it is not possible to cover large areas at smaller FFDs, therefore it
can be appreciated that choice of target angle is a compromise between tube
loading, geometric unsharpness and desired area to be covered by the useful
beam. For practical purpose, at 40”FFD the anode angle should be no smaller
than15 degrees. A decrease angle below 6degrees will result in anode heel
effect.

10. Thank you…