What physical laws govern x-ray production?

The process of x-ray production is fundamentally governed by the laws of thermionic emission and Bremsstrahlung radiation. Thermionic emission refers to the phenomenon where electrons are emitted from the cathode when it is heated to a high temperature in the x-ray tube. This emission of electrons is crucial as these electrons are accelerated toward the anode by an electric field, creating a flow of current that is foundational to x-ray generation.

Once these high-energy electrons strike the anode, they undergo a process known as Bremsstrahlung radiation (meaning "braking radiation" in German). During this interaction, the electrons are decelerated upon approaching the nucleus of the anode material, resulting in the emission of x-ray photons. This process accounts for the majority of the x-rays produced in a clinical setting.

Thus, the combination of thermionic emission for the production of electrons and Bremsstrahlung radiation for the conversion of kinetic energy into x-rays is central to the understanding of how x-rays are generated in medical imaging and diagnostics.