Xsäteilylähteet

Xsäteilylähteet refers to sources of X-rays. X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than ultraviolet light but longer than gamma rays. They are produced when charged particles, typically electrons, are rapidly decelerated or when electrons transition between energy levels in atoms.

A common type of X-ray source is an X-ray tube. In this device, electrons are emitted from a heated filament (cathode) and accelerated towards a metal target (anode) by a high voltage. When these fast-moving electrons strike the target, they undergo rapid deceleration, producing continuous X-ray radiation known as Bremsstrahlung. Additionally, the impact can knock out inner-shell electrons from the target atoms, and when outer-shell electrons fill these vacancies, characteristic X-rays are emitted at specific energies unique to the target material.

Other X-ray sources include synchrotron radiation facilities, which produce very intense and tunable X-ray beams. These are used in scientific research for a wide range of applications, such as crystallography, materials science, and medical imaging. Radioactive isotopes that decay by electron capture or internal conversion can also emit X-rays, though these are generally less common as primary X-ray sources for applications compared to X-ray tubes or synchrotrons. The selection of an X-ray source depends on the desired energy range, intensity, and application requirements.