NOTE BOOK # 11

The X-Ray Tube Components

The X-ray rube is where the electrical production of x-rays is possible. There are
certain components that are important in making this production work. Every tube
has to have a source of electrons, an appropriate target material, high voltage, and
a vacuum. Every tube has to have a cathode and anode in order to create a
potential difference and create photons. There is a tubing house envelope or
glass envelope (3) is used as protection. It helps cool the tube, absorbs of
focus radiation, and isolates high voltages.
The Cathode is the negative side of the tube, the function of this side is to produce
a thermionic cloud, conduct high voltage between the gap of itself and the anode,
and focus the stream of electrons to the positive side. This is a complex device and
is often referred to by the cathode assembly. The assembly includes the filament,
focusing cup, and associated wiring.

Filament (5): Most x-rays will have a dual filament. It is made up of

tungsten, because of its high melting point, and its difficulty to be vaporized.
The length and width of this filament will have a great impact of the detail of
the images that are created. The overall function of the filament is to provide
sufficient resistance to the flow of electrons so that heat s produced and will
cause thermionic emission to occur.
Focusing Cup (12): This helps control the electron cloud. The electrons
repel each other & want to spread out. The cup forces them to stay together
and stay in a small stream that heads toward to the target. Usually it is made
of nickel.
Electron Beam (11): This is the electrons making its move across the gap to
the anode target, that is being controlled by the focusing cup.
The filament circuit (2): This circuit controls the tube current, the more
electrons that are boiled off the higher the tube current.
The X-Ray Beam (10): The effective beam is the beam that goes strait
toward the patient. The bouncing of the beam is caused by the anode heal
effect. Which is based upon the angle of the anode itself.
The Anode is the other side of the x-ray tube, which is known as the positive side.
Tis side has 3 functions, it serves as a target surface for high voltage electrons from
the filament, the source of x-ray photons, and it serves as the primary thermal
conductor. The anode target surface is where the high speed electrons from the
filament are suddenly stopped resulting in the photon production. The assembly of
the anode consists of the stator and rotor, which serves as a path for the high
voltage flow during the exposure. The faster the anode rotates, the better the heat
dissipation is, which heat is the number 1 reason that tubes fail. Now to describe
the components on the anode side, that are shown in the drawing of the x-ray tube.
The tungsten anode (4): This is the point of the anode where the electrons
strike, which than directs the x-ray beam. Tungsten is chosen because of its
high atomic number, high thermal conductivity level, and it high melting
point.

NOTE BOOK # 11

Molybdenum neck and base (9): may assist with the dissipation of heath
in heavy load situations.
Bearing (6): Reducing rotational friction caused by the rotor.
Armature (7): Apart of the rotating of the anode. Which is induced with
current.
Rotating Portion (8): showing where the actual rotation is occurring, which
contains the bearings inside.
Stator Electromagnets (1): The device that is actually causing the rotation
of the anode, which increases the target area. This allows the anode to have
much high heat capacities.