X-Ray Properties

Sherril Spencer

To

identify the properties of an x-ray beam

Quality

To

& Intensity

gain an understanding of the application of

each of the properties
To gain an insight into the manipulation of
technical factors ( kV & mAs) with a view to
adjusting the properties of the beam
To gain an understanding of how
manipulation of technical factors affects the
appearance of an image ( contrast & density)

Aims of session

Quality

controlled by Kv

Intensity

controlled by mAS

Xray beam properties

To

produce a good x-ray image it is

important to provided the correct photon
energy for the object
Every object has its own optimum KvP
range
Dependent upon atomic number ( density )
Thickness ( linear attenuation co-efficient &
HVL)

Producing an x-ray image

X-Rays

Anode

Absorption

Results in ionisation( release of an electron)

Scatter

Coherent ( photon retains all its energy but

changes direction
Compton ( photon loses some of its energy and
released as a scattered photon)
Photo electric effect ( complete absorption of
energy)

Attenuation Processes

 High KvP less absorption ( chest , GIT)

Dose reduction
Scatter has greater energy
Use of grid will absorb scatter

Low KV more absorption ( skeletal )

High image contrast
High dose

measure of the difference in density

between adjacent structures on an image.

Contrast

High Contrast

Low contrast

High contrast/ low contrast

Higher

the kV the greater the penetration

High kV gives a lower contrast
The higher the kV the lower the patient dose
however increases the amount of scatter.
Increasing the kV allows the tube current
(mA) or exposure time (s) to be reduced.
Generally an increase of 10 kV allows the mAs
to be approximately halved and visa versa.

Kilovoltage -summary
17

Power

per unit area (W/m2)

Intensity

affects density on image

Density

is a product of the quantity of x-ray

photons used to create an image

Intensity

Controls

current through filament

mA increase heat in filament resulting
in increase in e cloud
Greater number of e = greater no of
photons emitted from anode
Great no photons reach the image =
increase in overall blackness ( does not
change contrast)

mA ( tube current)

Density

Density

Density

Combined

with mA ( mAs)
Can be adjusted independently
To double image blackness double mAs
10mAs
10mA x 1 sec
20mA x 0.5 sec
5mA x 2sec

Time ( secs)

Collimation

= size of visible area of light

This

should be as small as possible to,

minimise the patient dose, but still include
the area of interest.

Collimation (Beam Size):

28

These

must be used if scatter is

significantly reducing contrast.e.g. When
irradiating large volumes.
Using a grid requires an increase in mA
thus increasing the patient dose.

Grids
31

QUESTIONS