Notebook #12

Line-Focus Principle & Anode Heel Effect

Line-Focus Principle

Effective focal-spot size is controlled by the size of the actual focal spot and the anode target
angle
When the anode target angle is less than 45, the effective focal spot is smaller than the actual
focal spot
Effective focal spots vertical dimension is stated as focal-spot size
Used to reduce effective area of focal spot, which permits the best resolution of detail while
permitting as large an actual area as possible
LARGE ANODE ANGLE

LARGE ANODE ANGLE

ANODE

LARGE
ACTUAL
FOCAL
SPOT

ANODE

LARGE ELECTRON BEAM

SMALL
ACTUAL
FOCAL
SPOT

SMALLER EFFECTIVE
FOCAL SPOT

LARGER EFFECTIVE
FOCAL SPOT

LARGE ANODE ANGLE

SMALL ANODE ANGLE

ANODE

LARGE
ACTUAL
FOCAL
SPOT

SMALL ELECTRON BEAM

ANODE

LARGE ELECTRON BEAM

LARGER EFFECTIVE
FOCAL SPOT,
WIDER USEFUL
BEAM

LARGE
ACTUAL
FOCAL
SPOT

LARGE ELECTRON BEAM

SMALLER EFFECTIVE
FOCAL SPOT,
NARROWER USEFUL
BEAM

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Notebook #12
Anode Heel Effect

Photons that are emitted toward the anode end are more likely to be absorbed by the target
material itself than those that are emitted toward the cathode end
20% more photons can be found on the cathode end, and 25% fewer photons can be found on
the anode end
o A total variation of 45% between the anode end and cathode end of the tube
Thicker body parts should be positioned closer to the cathode end of the tube in order to take
advantage of the higher photon intensity on that side

LARGE ANODE ANGLE

SMALL ANODE ANGLE

ANODE

LESS
ABSORBED
PHOTONS

CATHODE

ELECTRON BEAM

SMALLER ANODE HEEL

ANODE

MORE
ABSORBED
PHOTONS

CATHODE

ELECTRON BEAM

LARGER ANODE HEEL

MORE CATHODE-SIDE PHOTONS

LESS CATHODE-SIDE PHOTONS

75 80 90 100 105 110 120

75 80 90 100 105 110 120

% OF CENTRAL X-RAY INTENSITY

% OF CENTRAL X-RAY INTENSITY

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