PRODUCTION OF X-RAYS
THREE STEP PROCESS OF X-RAY PRODUCTION
a. The First Step. The first step in x-ray production is to turn on the machine. (If there is doubt on the part of the x-ray technician concerning the operation of the unit, reference should be made to the operator's manual.) When the unit is turned on, the filament of the cathode is heated by electrical current, causing it to emit electrons (see figure 1-3).
b. The Second Step. For the second step of this three-step process, high voltage is passed across the x-ray tube. When this is done, the electrons or electron cloud from the filament are drawn across the opening toward the anode. The anode is made of tungsten and is sometimes called the tungsten target. Figure 1-4 depicts the electrons speeding toward the anode (tungsten target).
c. The Third Step. The third and final step in this three-step process is the collision of electrons with the anode (tungsten target). This rapid deceleration of electrons produces x-rays, also referred to as photons. Figure 1-5 represents electrons striking the anode (tungsten target) and producing x-ray photons.
