röntgenputkeen

Röntgenputkeen, often translated as X-ray tube, is a vacuum tube that produces X-rays. It is a fundamental component in many medical imaging devices, industrial radiography, and scientific research equipment. The operation of an X-ray tube relies on the principle of thermionic emission and the subsequent acceleration of electrons.

Inside the tube, a filament, typically made of tungsten, is heated by an electric current. This heating causes electrons to be emitted from the filament's surface. These emitted electrons are then accelerated by a high voltage applied between the filament (cathode) and a target anode. The anode is usually made of a metal with a high melting point, such as tungsten or molybdenum, and is positioned at an angle to deflect the generated X-rays towards a window in the tube.

When the high-speed electrons strike the anode target, they decelerate rapidly. This deceleration causes the electrons to lose energy, which is then emitted as electromagnetic radiation in the form of X-rays. The energy and intensity of the X-rays produced can be controlled by adjusting the accelerating voltage and the current flowing through the filament. The vacuum within the tube is crucial to prevent collisions between the accelerated electrons and air molecules, which would otherwise scatter the electrons and reduce the efficiency of X-ray production.