Superficial X rays

Superficial X-rays are low-energy X-rays that do not penetrate very far before they are absorbed. They are produced by x-ray units operating at voltages in the 35–60 kV range, and therefore have energy in the 35–60 keV range (see External beam radiotherapy for an explanation of the maximum and mean energies as a function of voltage). They are useful in radiation therapy for the treatment of various benign or malignant skin problems, and have a useful depth of a couple of millimetres – certainly not more than 5 mm.

By convention, the electron-gun voltage is used to characterize X- and gamma-ray beams, whilst electron beams are characterized by their energies in electronvolts.