X-ray Emission Spectrum

Filtration

Primarily affects low energy x-rays by absorbing them.

X-ray emission spectrum

The number of x-rays can be plotted as a function of the energy of each individual x-ray.

optical density and contrast

Will be affected by changes in the kV, mA, filtration, and the atomic number of the target.

An increase in filtration

Will decrease the amplitude of the spectrum and the quantity of the x-rays but increases x-ray quality.

An increase in mA

Will increase the amplitude of the spectrum

An increase in kV

Will increase the quantity and quality of the x-rays as well as the amplitude of the spectrum. A phase shift to the right of the entire spectrum will also occur.

An increase in atomic number

Will increase x-ray production (quantity and quality) and the amplitude of the spectrum. It increases Bremsstrahlung and Characteristic radiation production.

Target material

Affects the spectrum if it is changed.

Number and energy of the x-rays

Are used to plot the x-ray emission spectrum.