Why Bremsstrahlung <20keV for Tungsten?

In summary, tungsten is commonly used in medical imaging and other industrial applications due to its high atomic number and density. However, for these purposes, the energy of bremsstrahlung radiation must be limited to below 20keV. This is because higher energy radiation can cause tissue damage and unwanted scattering, while also requiring more shielding for safety. Additionally, the use of tungsten as a target material allows for a more efficient production of low energy bremsstrahlung, making it a preferred choice for these applications.
  • #1
cemtu
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TL;DR Summary
Why isn't there Bremsstrahlung Radiation for Energy less than 20 keV for Tungsten?
enter image description here


https://www.researchgate.net/figure...-shown-for-a-tungsten-anode-with_fig4_8365056

Fast electrons produce X-rays in the anode of an X-ray tube through two different methods. The first one is the interaction of electrons with the nuclei of the target atom. As an electron passes near a nucleus, the positive charge of the nucleus affects the negative charge of the electron, attracting it towards itself and changing its direction.

This causes the electron to undergo decelerated motion and, consequently, lose energy. The kinetic energy lost by the electron is emitted as a photon. The radiation produced in this way is called "general radiation" or "bremsstrahlung."

Bremsstruhlung Radiation's Energy Magnitude depends on,

  1. the voltage of X-Ray Tube that accelerates and gives kinetic energy to electron
  2. how close does an electron passes near a nucleus
  3. atomic number (element type, Z) of that nucleus
So,
  • why isn't there Bremsstrahlung Radiation for Energy less than 20 keV for Tungsten?
  • Is it about the source of thermionic emission of the electron source, which bombards the cathode? So no start of bombardment(emission of the electron) before 20 keV from the anode to the cathode??
 
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  • #2
You would need to have log scale rather than linear scale on the vertical axis
 
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  • #3
malawi_glenn said:
You would need to have log scale rather than linear scale on the vertical axis
So the graph representation is false there.
 
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  • #4
cemtu said:
So the graph representation is false there.
False?
 
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  • #7
Those graphs need to be read "from right to left" if you wanna compare with the graph in the OP
 
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cemtu said:
why does it seem false without a log scale(the relative photon output number is zero in my OP until about 20 keV)?
You must be joking right?
 
  • #10
You are still not addressing the question. Many overviews of bremsstrahlung unfortunately do not.
This:
http://www.sprawls.org/ppmi2/XRAYPRO/
and a few others give the reason, though:
If no filtration is present where the spectrum is essentially a triangle, the amount of radiation produced is approximately proportional to the KV squared.
Apparently around 20 keV is where the absorption of tungsten increases rapidly.
 
  • #11
malawi_glenn said:
You must be joking right?
No, I am geniune.
 
  • #12
snorkack said:
You are still not addressing the question. Many overviews of bremsstrahlung unfortunately do not.
This:
http://www.sprawls.org/ppmi2/XRAYPRO/
and a few others give the reason, though:

Apparently around 20 keV is where the absorption of tungsten increases rapidly.
yeah, but below 20 it seems that we have 0 relative photon output number I still don't get it.
 
  • #13
cemtu said:
No, I am geniune.
All graphs stould be in log scale in order to be true?
 
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  • #14
malawi_glenn said:
All graphs stould be in log scale in order to be true?
what? I mean why is that?
 
  • #15
cemtu said:
what? I mean why is that?
How else are we gonna compare 5 to 50000? In a linear scale, 5 would look like zero :(
 
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  • #16
malawi_glenn said:
How else are we gonna compare 5 to 50000? In a linear scale, 5 would look like zero :(
oh, thats it? I thought there is somehow more than that. Thank you!
 
  • #17
cemtu said:
oh, thats it? I thought there is somehow more than that. Thank you!
Even 100 would be within the thickness of the line representing the horizontal axis.

Why is ##e^{-x} = 0## for ##x>4##? I mean, look at the graph:
1686566362910.png
 
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  • #18
Soft X-rays are re-absorbed before they exit the X-ray tube. You would need a thin window of low-Z material (for example, beryllium) in order to allow the soft X-rays to come out.
 
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FAQ: Why Bremsstrahlung <20keV for Tungsten?

Why is Bremsstrahlung radiation significant in the context of Tungsten?

Bremsstrahlung radiation is significant in the context of Tungsten because Tungsten is commonly used as a target material in X-ray tubes due to its high atomic number and high melting point. These properties make Tungsten efficient at producing X-rays through Bremsstrahlung, which is essential for various applications like medical imaging and material analysis.

What is the typical energy range for Bremsstrahlung radiation produced by Tungsten?

The typical energy range for Bremsstrahlung radiation produced by Tungsten spans from a few keV (kiloelectron volts) to several hundred keV. However, the most significant and useful range for many applications is usually from about 20 keV to 150 keV, where the efficiency of X-ray production and the penetration power are balanced.

Why is Bremsstrahlung radiation below 20 keV less efficient for Tungsten?

Bremsstrahlung radiation below 20 keV is less efficient for Tungsten because the probability of producing low-energy X-rays decreases as the energy of the incident electrons decreases. Additionally, low-energy X-rays are more likely to be absorbed by the Tungsten target or the surrounding materials, reducing their usefulness for practical applications.

What are the challenges associated with detecting Bremsstrahlung radiation below 20 keV?

Detecting Bremsstrahlung radiation below 20 keV is challenging because these low-energy X-rays are easily absorbed by materials, including the detector itself. This absorption reduces the intensity of the detectable radiation, making it difficult to obtain accurate measurements. Specialized detectors with thin windows or made from low-Z materials are often required to detect these low-energy X-rays effectively.

How does the atomic number of Tungsten influence the production of Bremsstrahlung radiation?

The atomic number (Z) of Tungsten, which is 74, significantly influences the production of Bremsstrahlung radiation. Higher atomic numbers increase the likelihood of Bremsstrahlung radiation because they provide a stronger electric field to decelerate the incident electrons. This results in more efficient conversion of kinetic energy into X-ray photons, making Tungsten an ideal material for generating high-intensity X-rays.

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