Which methods can increase the effective energy of an x-ray beam?

Increasing the effective energy of an x-ray beam can be achieved through two primary methods: added filtration and increased kilovoltage:

1. Added Filtration: This involves placing a material, such as aluminum, in the path of the x-ray beam. Filtration helps to remove lower-energy photons from the beam, allowing only higher-energy photons to pass through. This not only increases the average energy of the beam but also reduces patient dose while improving image quality. By eliminating less penetrable x-rays, the effective energy of the x-ray beam is enhanced.

2. Kilovoltage (kV): Increasing the kilovoltage in an x-ray machine enhances the energy of the x-ray photons produced. Higher kilovoltage results in higher energy x-rays that can penetrate tissues more effectively. This is crucial for obtaining diagnostic quality images, as it allows for better contrast and reduces scatter radiation.

Both of these methods work in tandem to increase the overall effectiveness and quality of the x-ray beam. While milliamperage affects the quantity of x-ray photons produced, it does not directly influence the energy of the x-ray beam. Therefore, the inclusion of both added filtration and increasing kilovoltage ensures a more effective and higher energy x-ray beam