The production, properties and interaction of X- rays

Dr. D. MladenovaMaxillo Facial & Radiology Div.WITS DENTAL SCHOOL

Properties of X-rays

• X-Rays were discovered by Roentgen in 1895X-Rays were discovered by Roentgen in 1895

•They are part of electromagnetic spectrum and They are part of electromagnetic spectrum and are invisibleare invisible

• X- rays are described as consisting of wave X- rays are described as consisting of wave packets of energy.packets of energy.

Each packet is called a photon and is equivalent Each packet is called a photon and is equivalent to one quantum of energy.to one quantum of energy.

• Longer X-rays have less penetrating power

• The energy carried by x-rays can be attenuated by matter i.e absorbed or scattered

• An X-ray beam is made up of millions of photons of different energies

• The diagnostic X-ray beam varies in its intensity and guantity

• The factors affecting the intensity and/or the quantity of the beam are kV, mA, distance from the target, length of exposure, filtration

Dental X-ray generating Dental X-ray generating equipmentequipment

• A tubeheadA tubehead• Positioning armPositioning arm• A control panel and circuitryA control panel and circuitry

Ideal requirements

• Safe and accurate• Capable of generating X-rays in the

desired range• Small• Easy to manoeuvre and position• Stable• Easily folded and stored• Simple to operate• Robust

Production of x-rays on atomic level

Main features and requirements of an x-ray tube

Heat producing collisions

X-Ray producing collision

Heat producing collisions

Interactions of X-Rays with matter

Scattering

Absorption

Attenuation

Ionization

Photo electric effect

Compton effect