BREMSSTRAHLUNG

BREMSSTRAHLUNG

Bremsstrahlung / Continuous x-ray - the bremsstrahlung process is the result of radiative collision between the electron and a nucleus in the target or in other word we can say that It is occurs when a fast moving electron interacts with the nucleus. Electrons are negatively charged and as they pass near the positively charged nucleus, the electrons decelerates due to the attraction force, and emits their energy in the form of X-ray photons, called Bremsstrahlung x-rays or Continuous Radiation . The energy of the emitted X-ray Photon depends on how close the electrons pass through the nucleus. When electrons pass from far away, then low energy is emitted due to weakening of Coulomb force. This phenomenon is more likely to happen.

When electrons pass more close to the nucleus, the electrons are more dim, more kinetic energy is lost which comes out as high energy Xray Photon. But the probability of occurrence of this phenomenon is less.Therefore, Bremsstrahlung can contain any electron from zero to maximum energy. The maximum energy of the Bremsstrahlung Photon is determined by the maximum kinetic energy of the incident electron. And the direction of the emitted Bremsstrahlung Photon also depends on the energy of the incident photon. Electrons of less than 100 keV energy emit Xray Photon uniformly in all directions. As the energy of electrons increases, the direction of Xray Photon gets forwarded.

This is of special importance in Diagnostic Radiology in which the target is taken so thick that it stops the entire electron beam and absorbs the radiation going in the forward direction. Which gives useful Xray beam at 90 °of target.