What are the factors affecting the x-ray emission spectrum?

The authors explored the effects of three key factors on x-ray spectra: gen- erator type, peak tube potential, and filtration. Different generator types are characterized by the amount of ripple in the kilovoltage waveform.

What factors determine the intensity of the x-ray beam?

Therefore, the intensity of the beam is affected by beam quality (kVp) as well as beam quantity (mAs). The beam intensity is also affected by the distance between the x-ray tube and the exposed area such that if the distance is increased, the beam intensity decreases following the inverse square low (Figure 7).

What are the three important variables of x-ray tubes?

In order to evaluate the problem of x-ray tube heating, it is necessary to understand the relationship of three physical quantities: (1) heat, (2) temperature, and (3) heat capacity. Heat is a form of energy and can be expressed in any energy units.

Which factors can extend x-ray tube life?

On a basic level, X-ray tube longevity can be extended by applying the minimum recommended current (mA), voltage (kVp) and exposure time that is appropriate to each examination.

What factors affect the total number of x-ray photons produced inside the tube at the target anode?

The total number of photons produced by an X-ray device depends on the current, which is measured in amperes, or amps (A). The current is controlled by increasing or decreasing the number of electrons emitted from the cathode. The higher the electron current, the more X-ray photons are emitted from the anode.

What are the factors affecting image quality?

Acquisition geometry-Image acquisition geometric factors affecting image quality include a source to image receptor distance, orientation, the amount of magnification, and size of the focal spot.

Which of the following factors affect both the quantity and quality of the x-ray beam?

Kilovoltage. The kVp controls both the quality and the quantity of the x-ray beam. As the kVp is increased, the energy of the photons in the beam is increased, changing its quality. As the photon energy increases, the penetrating ability of the photons increases.

How does an x-ray tube operate?

X-ray tube, also called Roentgen tube, evacuated electron tube that produces X rays by accelerating electrons to a high velocity with a high-voltage field and causing them to collide with a target, the anode plate. Only about 1 percent of the electron energy is converted to X rays.

What are the main components of an x-ray tube?

The major x-ray tube components are the cathode and anode assemblies, the tube envelope, the rotor and stator (for rotating anode systems), and the tube housing.

What is the most common cause of x-ray tube failure?

Temperature range The most frequent mode of failure of an x-ray tube is the failure to adequately dissipate the heat generated during normal operation. It is well known that 99\%+ of the kinetic energy imparted on the electron beam is lost in the form of heat at the anode target.

What are the three important exposure factors and how they affect the production of X-rays in terms of quantity and quality?

The three main components of any x-ray exposure are kVp, mA, and time. * kVp: the power and strength of the x-ray beam (quality of the x-rays). * mAs: the number of x-ray photons produced by the x-ray tube at the setting selected (quantity of x-rays).

How are x-ray photons produced?

X-ray tubes produce x-ray photons by accelerating a stream of electrons to energies of several hundred kilovolts with velocities of several hundred kilometers per hour and colliding them into a heavy target material. The abrupt acceleration of the charged particles (electrons) produces Bremsstrahlung photons.

What factors affect the X-ray spectrum of a patient?

The x-ray spectrum is defined as the energy distribution of the radiation produced in an x-ray exposure. The x-ray spectrum has a major impact on image quality and radiation dose delivered to patients. The authors explored the effects of three key factors on x-ray spectra: generator type, peak tube potential, and filtration.

What are the effects of added filtration on X-ray beam?

There are several effects of added filtration: 1. Increases the average energy of the x-ray beam::  As low-energy photons are removed by the added filters.  High energy photons constitutes a greater percentage of the beam.  This increases the average energy of the beam which is referred as ‘Beam hardening’.

What happens when the current is doubled through an X-ray tube?

If the current through the X-ray tube (mA) is, for example, doubled, the number of electrons flowing across the tube in unit time is doubled. If all the other factors remain unchanged, each electron will have the same chance of creating X-ray photons and so the number of photons of each energy produced per unit time will be doubled.

What is the quality of X-ray beam?

Quality & Quantity:  Quality refers to the overall energy of the beam  As the X-ray beam is polyenergetic, any factors that increase or decrease the average energy of photons in the beam affect x-ray beam quality.  Quality is directly affected by, i. Changes in kVP ii.