Glossary of Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy Research
Search Submit an EntryBrowse Entries: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
See also the Plasma Dictionary.
Browse Entries: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
See also the Plasma Dictionary.
| Term: | X-Ray | |
| Definition: | A penetrating form of electromagnetic radiation emitted either when the inner orbital electrons of an excited atom return to their normal state (characteristic x-rays), or when a high speed electron collides sharply with an ion or atomic target (bremsstrahlung). X-rays have energies from roughly 100 eV to roughly 100 keV. (Below X-rays are ultraviolet rays, and above X-rays in energy are gamma rays.) X-rays are (basically by definition) non-nuclear in origin. (Nuclear electromagnetic radiation termed gamma radiation.) See also ultraviolet, gamma rays, bremsstrahlung. |
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