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    Production of X Ray

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    nickk23082002
    X ray production

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    Production of X Ray

    Uploaded by

    nickk23082002
    5 views2 pages
    X ray production

    Original Title

    Production_of_X_Ray

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    X ray production

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    5 views2 pages

    Production of X Ray

    Uploaded by

    nickk23082002
    X ray production

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
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    Production of X-Rays Using a Rotating Anode

    1. What is a Rotating Anode?

    A rotating anode is a type of anode used in high-powered X-ray tubes, particularly in medical and

    industrial applications where consistent and high-intensity X-ray production is required. In a standard

    X-ray tube, the anode is stationary, meaning that the same spot on the target material receives

    continuous impact from the high-energy electrons, generating a lot of heat. To address the heating

    issue, a rotating anode is designed so that the anode itself spins during operation. This rotation

    spreads the electron impact over a larger area of the target surface, distributing the heat and

    reducing the risk of overheating.

    Typically made from materials with high melting points, such as tungsten, molybdenum, or a

    tungsten-rhenium alloy, the rotating anode is often embedded in a disc that spins at speeds of 3,000

    to 10,000 revolutions per minute. This design enhances the durability and efficiency of the X-ray

    tube, allowing for continuous and high-intensity operation.

    2. How a Rotating Anode Produces X-rays

    In an X-ray tube with a rotating anode, electrons are emitted from the cathode (filament) and are

    accelerated towards the anode by a high voltage, similar to the mechanism in a stationary anode

    tube. However, in the rotating anode tube, these electrons strike a rotating disc made of high-Z

    materials (high atomic number elements), and as they hit the target material, they decelerate rapidly

    and lose energy. This energy loss results in the emission of X-rays through two primary

    mechanisms:

    1. Bremsstrahlung Radiation (Braking Radiation): When the high-speed electrons approach the

    positively charged nuclei within the target atoms, they decelerate sharply. This deceleration causes
    the electrons to release energy in the form of X-ray photons. The continuous range of X-ray

    energies produced forms a broad spectrum due to varying degrees of deceleration. This is the

    primary source of X-rays in a rotating anode tube.

    2. Characteristic X-rays: When the incident electrons have sufficient energy, they can dislodge

    inner-shell electrons in the atoms of the target material, creating vacancies. These vacancies are

    filled by electrons from higher energy levels, emitting X-ray photons with specific energies

    characteristic of the target material's atomic structure.

    The rotating anode's design enhances the efficiency of this process by enabling higher electron

    currents and prolonged exposure times without causing excessive heating of any single point on the

    target. This not only improves the quality and intensity of the X-rays produced but also increases the

    lifespan of the X-ray tube.

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