The continuous spectrum and the peaks of X-rays are produced from two

processes:

When fast-moving electrons emitted from the cathode are suddenly decelerated
inside the target anode these rays are called bremsstrahlung radiation, or
braking radiation.

When electrons in the target atoms get excited and then de-excited X-rays
produced in this way have definite energies just like other line spectra from
atomic electrons. They are called characteristic X-rays since their energies are
determined by the atomic energy levels which they transit.

Explanation For Continuous X-ray Spectrum:

An incident electron with energy Ek initial collides with a target atom. The fast moving
electron interacts with the nucleus of the target atom and as the electron approaches
the nucleus, it is slowed down. The loss of kinetic energy is converted into X-ray
photons that are emitted. The energy of the photon released depends on how close the
negative electron comes into contact with the positive nucleus. The closer an electron
approaches the nucleus, the higher the energy of the released photon.
The scattered electron which now has energy less than E k initial may have a subsequent
collision with another target atom, generating a second X-ray photon. The electronscattering process continues until the electrons is approximately stationary, loses all its

energy. All the X-ray photons generated from these collisions between electrons and
target atoms form part of the continuous X-ray spectrum.
The minimum wavelength can be explained by a collision in which an incident
electron stops abruptly because the kinetic energy of the electron is completely
converted into an X-ray photon (with maximum photon energy).
Total kinetic energy of fast moving electron = Maximum Energy of a X-ray photon
eV = Energy of X-ray photon
1/2meV =hc/min
2

Explanation for Characteristic X-ray Spectrum

An accelerated electron from the cathode collides into an electron of a target atom that
is orbiting in the K-shell(n=1). If sufficient energy is transferred by the accelerated
electron to the orbiting electron, the latter electron will be ejected from the target
atom.

Steps for emission of K

Electron is ejected from K-shell (n=1) after collision by an accelerated electron

from the cathode

Electron from L-shell (n=2) drops down to K-shell (n=1)

An X-ray photon of K characteristic X-ray is emitted

Steps for emission of K

Electron is ejected from K-shell (n=1) after collision by an accelerated electron

from the cathode

Electron from M-shell (n=3) drops down to K-shell (n=1)

An X-ray photon of K characteristic X-ray is emitted

The rates of emission of the K and K characteristic X-rays are high, hence their
intensities are high. The intensity of the K characteristic X-ray is typically greater
than the K characteristic X-ray. This is because the electrons in the L-shell are closer
to the K-shell, hence there is a greater probability that the vacancy in the K-shell is
filled by an electron from the L-shell than from the M-shell.
Since the energy differences between electrons in the various energy levels is a
characteristic of the target atom, the wavelength of the K and K characteristic X-rays
are unique for each element. The wavelength of the characteristic X-ray is shorter for
elements of higher proton number.
When the accelerating potential V is increased from 100kV to 200kV, the minimum
wavelength of the X-rays, min is shorter, but the wavelengths of the characteristic Xrays remain unchanged. The intensity of all wavelengths increases.
When the target material of the X-ray tube is bombarded with electrons accelerated from the cathode
filament, two types of X-ray spectra are produced. The first is called the continuous spectra.
The continuous spectra consists of a range of wavelengths of X-rays with minimum wavelength and
intensity (measured in counts per second) dependent on the target material and the voltage across the Xray tube. The minimum wavelength decreases and the intensity increases as voltage increases.
The second type of spectra, called the characteristic spectra, is produced at high voltage as a result of

specific electronic transitions that take place within individual atoms of the target material.
This is easiest to see using the simple Bohr model of the atom. In such a model, the nucleus of the atom
containing the protons and neutrons is surrounded by shells of electrons. The innermost shell, called the
K- shell, is surrounded by the L- and M - shells. When the energy of the electrons accelerated toward the
target becomes high enough to dislodge K- shell electrons, electrons from the L - and M - shells move in
to take the place of those dislodged.
Each of these electronic transitions produces an X-ray with a wavelength that depends on the exact
structure of the atom being bombarded. A transition from the L - shell to the K- shell produces a Ka X-ray,
while the transition from an M - shell to the K- shell produces a Kb X-ray.
These characteristic X-rays have a much higher intensity than those produced by the continuous sprectra,
with Ka X-rays having higher intensity than Kb X-rays. The important point here is that the wavelength of
these characteristic x-rays is different for each atom in the periodic table (of course only those elements
with higher atomic number have L- and M - shell electrons that can undergo transitions to produce X-rays).
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The characteristic spectra consists of definite wave lengths superimposed on the continuous spectrum.
The spectrum lines occur in the form of small groups.
To understand difference in their shape you have to go through their origin .
ORIGIN:1) Sometimes a high velocity electron passes close to the nucleus of an atom within the target of the X-ray
tube.During the process the electron experiences a strong Coulomb force of attraction due to the nucleus
and is suddenly slowed down, at the same time suffering a deflection in its path.
During its retardation the electron emits a pulse of e.m. radiation of energy hf. Since the electron suffers
all sorts of collisions the retardation suffered is also different. Hence the energy of the emitted X-rays also
vary . Hence the X-ray spectra shows all possible wavelengths within a certain range . This gives rise to a
continuous spectra (a continuous curve).
2) In some collisions an electron coming with high velocity penetrate through the outer shells of the
electrons and strike against an electron in the inner shell, and knockout an electron from the inner shell of
the atom . The incident and the dislodged electrons both escape from the atom causing a vacancy in the
innermost K shell. An electron from the outer shell (say L shell) in higher energy state jump to the K shell
to fill the vacancy . This gives rise to an X-ray photon of energy hf. This causes a vacancy in the L shell ,
which is again filled up by another electron jumping from one of the outer shells along with the emission of
another X-ray photon of different energy.. This process continues till the outer-most shell is reached, thus

resulting in the emission of a series of characteristic X- ray photons. This gives rise to sharp lines or peaks
superimposed on the continuous line.