Space charge

Last revised by Raymond Chieng on 17 Jan 2023

Space charge refers to the collection of electrons which are emitted from the metal surface, after the application of tube current, at a short distance away from the metal surface.

These electrons collect and form a cloud of negative charge around the metal surface. This space charge repels and limits the further emission of electrons from the surface and is referred to as the space charge effect 3. The effect is most noticeable at lower kVp.

High anode voltage and high filament temperature can substantially reduce the space charge effect 3.

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