Pre-Röntgen observations and research
Before their discovery in 1895, X-rays were just a type of unidentified radiation emanating from experimental discharge tubes. … See more

X-ray photons carry enough energy to ionize atoms and disrupt molecular bonds. This makes it a type of ionizing radiation, and therefore harmful to living tissue. A very high See more

Whenever charged particles (electrons or ions) of sufficient energy hit a material, X-rays are produced.
Production by electrons
X-rays can be … See more

Since Röntgen's discovery that X-rays can identify bone structures, X-rays have been used for medical imaging. The first medical use was less … See more

Soft and hard X-rays
X-rays with high photon energies above 5–10 keV (below 0.2–0.1 nm wavelength) are called hard X-rays, while those with lower energy (and … See more

X-rays interact with matter in three main ways, through photoabsorption, Compton scattering, and Rayleigh scattering. The strength of these interactions depends on the energy of the X-rays and the elemental composition of the material, but not much on chemical … See more

X-ray detectors vary in shape and function depending on their purpose. Imaging detectors such as those used for radiography were … See more