caused when vaporized tungsten coats the inside of the glass or metal enclosure is interacted with electrons.

Three Methods of Heat Dissipation

must be dissipated for the x-ray tube to continue to function.

LET of Linac X-rays (6-15 MeV)

Three types of Rating charts

LET of Neutrons

High Linear Energy Transfer Radiation range

Have several causes, most of which are related to the thermal characteristics of the x-ray tube

LET of 150 MeV protons

Low Linear Energy Transfer Radiation

- describes the energy deposition of a particular type of radiation, which largely determine the biological consequence of radiation

conveys which radiographic techniques are safe and unsafe for x-ray tube operation

- has a shape similar to that of the anode cooling chart and is used precisely the same way. - complete cooling after maximum heat capacity requires from 1 to 2 hours

what is the unit of LET

- Greater density of interactions at cellular level - produce biological damage in a given volume of tissue

what’s the final cause of tube failure?

guides the the radiologic technologists in using the x-ray tube

High Linear Energy Transfer is mediated by what?

caused by excessive temperature of the anode

shows scales of mA and kVp

LET of Beta Particle (1 MeV)

should not be applied to a cold cathode.

what may result to cracking of the anode.

- proportional to the square of the charge of the particle. - inversely proportional to the particle's kinetic energy.

results from maintaining the anode at elevated temperatures for prolonged times.

Low Linear Energy Transfer is mediated by what?

LET of 250 kVp x-rays (standard)

LET of Alpha Particles

LET of Cobalt-60 Y-rays

- causes disturbed electrical balance on the x-ray tube, - causing abrupt, intermittent changes in tube current

LET of Carbon ions

results in reduced tube life (also the first reason for tube failure)

- contains the thermal capacity of the anode and its heat dissipation characteristics. - has a limited capacity in storing heat.

less likely to produce tissue damage in the same volume of tissue

average energy deposited per unit path length along the track of an ionizing particle

most important of the three types of rating charts