Christina Swanson

Notebook 11
X-Ray Tube
Anode X-ray Tube
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.

Filament Circuit
Envelope
Tungsten Anode
Bearing
Stator Electromagnets
Armature
Rotating Portion
Molybdenum neck and base
Electron Beam
Filament
Thermionic EmissionFocusing Cup
Actual focal spot size (target)
Effective focal spot
Glass/ metal housing

A. Filament Circuit- supplies the filament of the x ray tube with the acceptable
modified power. It also modifies the incoming line power to produce the
thermionic emission, which produces electrons from the filament wire of the Xray tube.
B. Envelope- is composed of the entire cathode and anode assembly. The envelope
can be made with a glass or metal structure. The Pyrex or metal used allows a
vacuum to be more efficient in allowing no air to enter. Envelope keeps air out
which if allowed in would which allows electrons to not be hindered the envelope
keeps the air out which if entering envelope would hinder electron movement.
The Oilsurroundstheenvelopetoabsorbtheheatthatdissipates.
C. Tungsten Anode- positive side and is the target for the electrons from the cathode.
D. Bearing- rotating of the anode on X-ray tube
E. Stator Electromagnets- Induction-motor electromagnets that turn the anode. The
electromagnetic affect causes the rotor to turn allowing isolating of the stator coils
from the high voltage exposure to be isolated.
F. Armature- a coil of wire that acts as a conductor
G. Rotating portion- this part of the anode rotates (turns) during exposure so heating
is displaced.
H. Molybdenum neck and base- base of the focal track target
I. Electron Beam- Is greater on Cathode side than anode side.
J. Filament- is a small coil of thin thoriated tungsten wire. The function of the
filament is to provide sufficient emission of current
Thermionic Emission- electrons from a heated surface are emitted. Boiling electrons
off the filament in preparation for x ray production.

L. Focusing cup- keep electrons close together

M. Actual Focal spot size- is actual area on target where x-rays are emitted
N. Effective focal spot size- is beam directed towards patient
O. Glass/metal housing- Provide a vacuum

XrayTubeParts
Inthexraytubeelectriccircuitthecurrentflowsfromthenegativeside(cathodeofthe
circuittothepositiveside.Thepurposeofcathodeistheproductionofthethermionic
cloudandproductionofahighvoltagecurrent.Theelectronsfromthecathodeandleave
towardstheanodearefocusedinacentralbeam.Theseelectronsenduphittingthe
anode(positive)thatisthetarget.Cathodeconsistsofthefilament,focusingcupand
wiring.Filamentisatightlywoundcoilofwire.Whenthecurrentpassesthroughthe
filamentitheatsupthatelectronsmove.Thefocusingcupiscomposedofmolybdenum
andisnegativelycharged.Thiscupforcestheelectronstoconvergeratherthanseparate
creatingexcitementintheelectrons.Theanode(target)isonthepositiveendoftheX
raytubeandconsistsoftheanode,stator,andtherotor.Theanodeistheprimary
conductorofheatthatexitsthetubeandplaysavitalroleinthehighvoltagecircuit.The
envelopecontainsthecathodeandanode.AnenvelopecanbemadeofPyrexormetal
both,whichcontainelectron.Avacuumisimportantwithanenvelopebecauseallgases
areremovedfromtheenvelopethatpermitselectronstoflowfromthecathodetoanode.
Thereisawindowthatisapartoftheenvelopethatallowstheprimarybeamtoexitfor
productionofanxray.Housingprotectstheanodeassemblyalongandisaprotective
barrierforleaksorscatterradiation.Xraybeamgivesusthexrayimageafterithashit
theanodetarget.Fromherewegetanxray.
Tungsten- is used bc of its high melting point of (3,370 Celsius) and because its difficult
to vaporize (turn into gas) Melting point of tungsten is 3170c. This high melting point
allows the filament to operate at higher than normal required for an x-ray tube and x- ray
production.
Flowofelectricity
Theelectronsenterfromthecathode(filament)andgototheAnode(target).The
filamentheatsuponthecathodebutbecausethewireissothinandsmallwhenthe
currentflowsthrough,theelectronsbreakfreecausingthermionicemission.Thefilament
cupisanegativecharge,whichfacilitateskeepingtheelectronsflowinginachannel
closetogether.TheelectronbeamisgreateroncathodesidebuthitstheAnode(actual
focalspotsize.Fromherethexraybeam(photons)hittheeffectivefocalspot(patient)
producinganxray