What is the charge of the focusing cup?

The focusing cup is designed to have a negative charge. This negative charge is essential for the functioning of devices such as x-ray tubes. The focusing cup surrounds the filament, which emits electrons when heated through a process called thermionic emission. The negative charge of the focusing cup serves to repulse the emitted electrons and help direct them towards the anode, forming a concentrated beam of electrons that are needed to create x-rays when they collide with the anode material.

The focusing cup's negative charge optimizes the electron flow by ensuring that the electrons are tightly focused into a beam rather than scattering in multiple directions, which enhances the efficiency and quality of x-ray production. By maintaining a negative polarity, the focusing cup plays a crucial role in controlling the geometry of the electron beam and improving image clarity in radiologic imaging.