How does an x-ray machine work?

x-ray machine

x-ray machine is to produce X-ray equipment, which is mainly composed of X-ray tube and X-ray machine power supply and control circuits, etc., and the X-ray tube and by the cathode filament (Cathod) and the anode target (Anode), as well as the vacuum glass tube, X-ray machine power can be divided into two parts of the high-voltage power supply and filament power supply, which is used to heat the filament filament power supply, the high-voltage power supply of the high voltage The high-voltage power supply is used to heat the filament, and the high-voltage outputs of the high-voltage power supply are located at the two ends of the cathode filament and the anode target, providing a high-voltage electric field that accelerates the active electrons on the filament to the anode target, forming a high-speed electron flow.

X-ray generation

Braking radiation (Bremsstrahlung) and characteristic radiation (Characteristic). Braking radiation: high-speed electrons suddenly decelerated, its kinetic energy in the form of X-rays released; Characteristic radiation: high-speed electrons hit atoms and peripheral orbitals on the electrons, so that the free and release of energy, the energy that is X-rays.

The basic principle of the x-ray machine

X-ray was discovered by Professor Luncheon of Germany in 1895. This kind of radiation emitted by the vacuum tube can penetrate the object, in the electromagnetic spectrum of energy is stronger than the visible light, shorter wavelength, higher frequency, similar to the radiation line has cosmic rays, X-ray, etc.

This kind of radiation line can penetrate the object.

To generate X-Ray, you must have an X-ray dome, and the basic structure of the X-ray dome must have:

Cathode filament (Cathod)

Anode target (Anode)

Vacuated glass envelope (Evacuated glass envelope)

Of course, you also need to have a power source to supply energy

The X-ray generator can be used to generate X-ray radiation by means of an electromagnetic spectrum.

There are two ways of generating X-rays

Bremsstrahlung (Braking Radiation) When high-speed electrons are suddenly slowed down, their kinetic energy is converted into energy and released as X-rays, and this energy varies according to the degree of deceleration.

Characteristic (Characteristic Radiation) High-speed electrons hit atoms and electrons in peripheral orbitals, causing them to free up and release energy, which is called X-ray.

Percentage of diagnostic X-ray generation: 30% Characteristic Radiation 70% Braking Radiation

X-Ray Characteristic

Passes through objects as Invisible light Wide range of wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum Linear scattering Speed of light Proceeds Fluorescent material glows Sensitizes film Causes scattering rays

When X-ray enters an object, three things happen:

Absorption

Scatter

Penetration

Penetration

Penetration

Penetration

Penetration

Penetration

Penetration

The X-ray is a light source. Penetration

Three elements that affect Radiographic Quality:

Density - mAs

Contrast - kVp

Sharpness - motion, Geometric

Distortion - position, angle

Relation between X-Ray wavelength and contrast on film

The penetration rate of X-Ray through a patient is mainly related to the patient's tissue structure and X-Ray wavelength.

Short wavelength X-ray (high kV)

higher energy, good penetration, resulting in low contrast on film.

Long-wavelength X-ray (low kV)

Lower energy, easier to be absorbed by the body, less penetrating, resulting in higher contrast on film.

Applications

The X-ray machine is widely used in health care, science and education, and industry, for example, the X-ray machine can be used in hospitals to help doctors diagnose diseases, used in non-destructive testing in industry, and security checks at train stations and airports, and so on.