röntgenbron

Röntgenbron, or X-ray source, is the device that generates X-rays for radiography, fluoroscopy, CT, and other diagnostic or research imaging modalities. In modern medical use, the primary röntgenbron is the X-ray tube, a vacuum vessel in which a high voltage accelerates electrons from a heated cathode toward a metal anode.

The key components are the cathode, which provides a heated filament to emit electrons, and the anode, usually made of tungsten, which acts as the target for electron impact. When high-energy electrons strike the target, X-rays are produced primarily by bremsstrahlung radiation and, to a lesser extent, characteristic radiation. The tube is housed in a protective enclosure with cooling and shielding, and many devices employ a rotating anode to spread heat over a larger area.

Operation parameters include the tube voltage (kilovolts, kV) that sets beam energy, and the tube current (milliamperes, mA) that governs photon yield. The emitted beam is shaped and filtered by collimators and filtration to optimize image quality while reducing patient dose. Portable units use smaller tubes, while stationary diagnostic systems use higher-capacity tubes and advanced cooling.

Safety and regulation are integral due to ionizing radiation. Facilities use shielding, interlocks, dose monitoring, and maintenance schedules to minimize exposure. Historically, röntgenbrons also encompassed sealed radioactive sources, but contemporary radiography predominantly relies on X-ray tubes. The term honors Wilhelm Röntgen, whose discovery of X-rays in 1895 led to widespread use of X-ray imaging.