Infographics / X-ray Physics

Bremsstrahlung & characteristic X-ray spectrum

Photon number versus photon energy for a tungsten anode at 100 kVp. A continuous bremsstrahlung curve cut off on the left by filtration, peaking well below the tube potential and falling to zero at the maximum energy equal to the kVp (Duane–Hunt limit, 100 keV). Two sharp tungsten characteristic K-line peaks (Kalpha 59 keV, Kbeta 67 keV) sit on the curve because 100 kVp exceeds the K-edge of 69.5 keV. Notes show filtration removing soft photons, increasing mAs scaling height at fixed shape and endpoint, and increasing kVp shifting the endpoint to the right.

X-ray tube emission spectrum: bremsstrahlung and characteristic radiation Photon number versus photon energy for a tungsten anode at 100 kVp. A continuous bremsstrahlung curve cut off on the left by filtration, peaking well below the tube potential and falling to zero at the maximum energy equal to the kVp (Duane–Hunt limit, 100 keV). Two sharp tungsten characteristic K-line peaks (Kalpha 59 keV, Kbeta 67 keV) sit on the curve because 100 kVp exceeds the K-edge of 69.5 keV. Notes show filtration removing soft photons, increasing mAs scaling height at fixed shape and endpoint, and increasing kVp shifting the endpoint to the right. X-ray tube emission spectrum — tungsten anode, 100 kVp 0 20 40 60 80 100 Photon energy (keV) Number of photons Continuous bremsstrahlung ↑ kVp ↑ mAs raises height same shape, endpoint fixed Characteristic K-lines W: Kα 59, Kβ 67 keV (needs kVp > 69.5) Maximum energy = kVp (Duane–Hunt limit) Filtration removes soft (low-energy) photons
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