X-ray Production

The **X-ray** tube is an **evacuated electron tube** that produces X-rays by **accelerating electrons** or **decelerating electrons**. Electrons collide with the **anode plate**. The tube consists of a **cathode** which is the source of electrons. It is usually a heated part of the device. A cathode and anode are enclosed in an **evacuated glass envelope**.



The voltage applied to accelerate the electrons is in the range of **kilovolts**. X-rays are produced wherever electrons moving at very high speeds strike matter. **X-rays can penetrate solid substances**. Therefore they are applied in medicine and dentistry, in the exploration of the structure of materials, and research.



X-rays were discovered by German scientist **Wilhelm Röntgen**. Just a few weeks later **Nikola Tesla** realized independently that one of his photographs (the picture of his friend Mark Twain) had been ruined by the X-ray shadows of the camera’s metal screws.