Mechanism
The heart of an X-ray generator is the X-ray tube. Like any vacuum tube, the X-ray tube contains a cathode, which directs a stream of electrons into a vacuum, and an anode, which collects the electrons. The anode in an X-ray tube is made of tungsten, molybdenum, or copper; when electrons collide with the anode, about 1% of the resulting energy is emitted as X-rays, with the remaining 99% released as heat.
A cooling system is necessary to cool the anode; many X-ray generators use water or oil recirculating systems.
Read more about this topic: X-ray Generator
Famous quotes containing the word mechanism:
“Life is an offensive, directed against the repetitious mechanism of the Universe.”
—Alfred North Whitehead (1861–1947)
“I’ve never known a Philadelphian who wasn’t a downright “character;” possibly a defense mechanism resulting from the dullness of their native habitat.”
—Anita Loos (1888–1981)
“A mechanism of some kind stands between us and almost every act of our lives.”
—Sarah Patton Boyle, U.S. civil rights activist and author. The Desegregated Heart, part 3, ch. 2 (1962)