GE Measurement & Control Solutions

Glossary of terms used on this site

C

Characteristic radiation

The discrete part of the X-ray spectrum*. The electrons suddenly decelerate upon colliding with the material target and knock out electrons from the inner shell of the target atoms. As a result, electrons from higher energy levels fill up the vacancies and X-ray photons are emitted to compensate for the difference in energy between the two shells. The wavelength distribution of the characteristic radiation varies from material to material- different anode materials create more or less high-energy X-rays, thus directly influencing their capability to pass trough material.