Aspects of the emission of X-rays from television receivers

The principles involved in x-ray dosimetry are reviewed. The characteristics and limitations of ionization chambers, photographic film, Geiger and proportional counters and scintillation detectors when used for low intensity dose-rate measurement are discussed. A proportional counter is used to study the spectra of x-radiation from cathode ray tubes and rectifiers. The energy response characteristics necessary in a counter for dose rate measurements are given. A proportional counter is used to measure the x-ray dose rates from typical television receiver cathode ray tubes. The radiation level is found to be considerably below the present maximum permissible dose rate. A theoretical treatment of the x-ray spectrum transmitted through a glass envelope shows general agreement with the observed spectra from cathode ray tubes.