X-ray tubes are devices for the production of x-rays. X-ray tubes consist of an evacuated glass vessel and two electrodes. An electrical current with very high voltage passes across the tube and accelerates electrons emitted by thermionic emission from a tungsten filament (cathode also called electron gun) towards the anode target. The electrons collide with the anode and this deceleration generates x-rays (bremsstrahlung).
The high vacuum allows the electron beam an unimpeded passage. The electron beam heats the anode (usually copper), which is cooled by water to prevent melting. A copper target emits x-rays with a characteristic wavelength. Other used metals soften or harden the x-ray beam.
The x-rays pass through a very thin beryllium (Be) foil. This beryllium window absorbs a high amount of the elastically scattered electrons (produced by the target) and allows the radiation to get out of the tube without substantial absorption.
In conventional x-ray tubes, the anode is also the target. In nanofocus and microfocus x-ray tubes, the electron beam is transmitted through a hole in the anode where it is then focused onto a small spot on the target.

See also X-Ray Tube Housing, Fine Focus X-Ray Tube, Transformer, Diode, Digital to Analog Converter and Angular Response.

The highest amount of detail that can be shown in an image. Defined by the size of the smallest object that can be conveniently viewed, which for nanofocus and microfocus x-ray tubes is about half the size of the focal spot.

An electromagnetic lens is designed to focus the electron beam by using a suitable shaped magnetic field. The lens is a symmetric electromagnet consisting of wire coil, magnetic iron yoke and iron pole pieces. A strong magnetic field is produced by passing a current through the windings. This field acts as a convex lens; converge off axis rays back to focus. Like an optical lens, a magnetic lens is characterized by focal length and can be altered by changing the strength of the current.

Compton scattering is the deflection of gamma- and x-ray photons by electrons.

See also Compton Continuum, Compton Effect, Air Kerma, Filter Grid, Focused Grid, Grid Efficiency, and Compton Arthur Holly.

Cryotherapy (also called cryoablation or cryosurgery) uses extreme cold for the treatment of disease. A cryoprobe applies the cold to the selected anatomic area, for example the prostate.

See also Brachytherapy, RF Thermal Ablation, High Intensity Focused Ultrasound and Prostate Ultrasound.