The beam that travels from cathode to anode in x-ray production consists of what?

In x-ray production, the beam that travels from the cathode to the anode consists of electrons. When an x-ray tube is activated, electrons are generated at the cathode and are accelerated towards the anode under the influence of a high voltage. Upon reaching the anode, these high-energy electrons interact with the anode material, primarily generating x-rays through processes like Bremsstrahlung and characteristic radiation.

This process is essential for x-ray generation because x-rays themselves are the result of the interaction of these accelerated electrons colliding with the anode, rather than being anything that is emitted from the cathode or generated from protons or neutrons. Protons and neutrons are subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an atom and do not play a direct role in the production of x-rays in this context. Thus, understanding that electrons are the actual carriers of energy that contribute to x-ray generation is crucial for comprehending the mechanics of x-ray tubes.