Question

Explain the physical origins for the both the characteristic and continuous components of the emission spectrum from an X-ray tube.

Answer 1

X rays are produced when High energy electrons, protons or heavier ions are incident on some solid material target we may found two types of radiation:

1. Charachteristic X- rays : When electrons of incident beam creates holes in the inner shell of elements of target material(these incident electrons take away another electron from inner shell along with them creating holes),this hole is occupied by electrons from high energy shells of the same element emitting radiation with very low wavelength is called Charachteristic X rays.When Hole is created in K shell then we get K lines,when hole is created in L shell then we get L lines.Vacancy in K shell can be filled by L,M,N.....electrons and are called Ka(K-alfa),K_b(K-beta)... respectively.Vacancy in L shell can be filled by M,N.....electrons and are called La(L-alfa),L_b(L-beta).....rspectively.

2. Continuous X rays: when electrons are passed through the target,they deaccelerates due to attracting and repulsive forces of other charged particles(nuclei and other electrons) in the target. due to this deacceleration they lose energy in the form of radiation called continuous X rays(Bremsstrahlung radiation).