X-Ray Production and Types of X-Ray Tubes

Flashcards covering key concepts about x-ray production and x-ray tubes.

X-rays are produced when a fast moving stream of electrons is __________.

rapidly decelerated.

The __________ consists of a filament, connecting wires, and a metallic focusing cup to produce electrons.

cathode

The process of releasing electrons from the heated filament is known as __________.

thermionic emission.

The anode must have a high melting point because __________ is converted to heat.

99% of the kinetic energy of electrons

The __________ principle results in a wider actual focal spot but a narrow effective focal spot.

line focus

The electrons formed from the filament current create a __________ that inhibits further electron release.

space charge

Tungsten has a high atomic number of 74 and is used because it can easily __________ electrons.

release

In mammography, the cathode end should be towards the __________ while the anode end should be towards the breast tissue.

chest wall

The filament is coiled to a diameter of __________ mm and typically less than 1 cm in length.

0.2

The conversion of AC supply to DC is called __________.

rectification.

The space charge effect occurs due to a cloud of electrons formed near the __________.

filament

The __________ effect is observed when the anode angle is smaller, leading to a larger anode heel effect.

anode heel

The purpose of filters in the x-ray tube is to attenuate __________ x-ray photons from the spectrum.

low-energy (soft)

The main components of a rotating anode assembly include an anode disc, target annulus, molybdenum stem, copper rotor, and __________.

soft metal lubricated bearings.

The tube current typically ranges from __________ mA in the x-ray tube.

0.5 to 1000

To attain a high speed of rotation, the length of the molybdenum stem should be __________.

short.

The device used to regulate the filament current flow through the x-ray tube is a __________.

step-down transformer.

Tube housing is lined with __________ to absorb unwanted radiations.

lead (Pb)