The energy of characteristic radiation equals the transition energy between two electron shells within an atom (typically between a higher shell with energy Em and the K or L-shell with En) appearing in the result of inner-shell ionization by the accelerated electron. The process of the inner-shell ionization and the subsequent X-ray emission is illustrated in figure. The excitation/ionization can be performed in various electron levels and therefore the lines are named respectively.
How to use the X-ray tube
-The Bremsstrahlung and the characteristics radiation of the X-ray tube's anode material are used to excite the characteristics radiation of the elements in the sample material.
- The energy of the incident X-ray quants is higher than the binding energy of the elements inner electron s.