On X-ray tube spectra, the dependence on the angular and electron energy of X-rays from the targets

Spectroscopy Department, Physics Division, National Research Centre, El Behooth Str., 12311 Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

Corresponding author: abdallah.shaltout@nrc.sci.eg

Received: 4 May 2006
Revised: 16 October 2006
Accepted: 20 November 2006
Published online: 14 February 2007

Abstract

An algorithm was developed for the theoretical intensities of both X-ray continuum and characteristic K-radiation (K_α1, K_α2, K_α, K_β1, K_β2, K_β3, K_β13, K_β4 and K_β5) of different target materials (Cr, Cu, Rh, Mo, W, Ag and Au) at different electron incidence angles (0.01° − 90°), different take-off angles of the photon emission (0.01° − 90°) and different X-ray tube voltages. It was found that the intensities of continuum and characteristic X-rays increase with increasing take-off angle and the take-off angle is inversely proportional to the absorption path of X-rays in the target. At take-off angles of 20° or more, the flux of the X-ray spectra remains practically independent of the take-off angle. Furthermore, at the optimum electron incidence angle and take-off angle of emitted X-ray photons, the dependence of X-ray tube spectra on applied voltage was also investigated.