CLINICAL MEDICINE

Detailed explanation-1: -kVp controls the penetrating strength of an x-ray beam (beam quality). Whenever an exposure is made, the x-rays must be energetic (strong enough) to adequately penetrate through the area of interest. The higher the kVp, the more likely the x-ray beam will be able to penetrate through thicker or more dense material.

Detailed explanation-2: -The kilovoltage controls the beam quality. The kVp regulates the speed of electrons traveling from the cathode to the anode and determines the penetrating ability of the x-ray beam. When the kVp increases, the resulting x-ray beam is of higher energy and increased penetrating ability (Figure 5).

Detailed explanation-3: -kVp Influence on Beam Quality The reason that the kVp has such a significant impact on the beam quality (i.e. the x-ray spectral shape), is that if you’re accelerating from the cathode to the anode with a higher potential the electrons will have a higher energy when they collide with the anode (target) material.

Detailed explanation-4: -The voltages used in diagnostic X-ray tubes range from roughly 20 kV to 150 kV and thus the highest energies of the X-ray photons range from roughly 20 keV to 150 keV.

Detailed explanation-5: -Kilovoltage peak (kVp) is the peak potential applied to the x-ray tube, which accelerates electrons from the cathode to the anode in radiography or computed tomography. Tube voltage, in turn, determines the quantity and quality of the photons generated.