Bremsstrahlung
is a German word that means "braking radiation".
Bremsstrahlung is the electromagnetic radiation (the red photon) emitted by a charged particle (the blue electron) when it is scattered or deflected in the electric field of an atom or molecule (the yellow blob).
The radiation process can be described in classical electrodynamics as the radiation by an accelerated charge. When the charge scatters, it changes its direction and so is accelerated. In quantum mechanics, bremsstrahlung can be treated in the non-relativistic Schroedinger theory as a radiative transition of an electron from one continuum state to another in the atomic potential.
Although bremsstrahlung radiation can occur at any energy or wavelength it is often associated with the x-ray region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Maybe this is because it has been most studied in the x-ray region.
Bremsstrahlung is ubiquitous. It is most commonly found in nature as Thick-target Bremsstrahlung. This occurs whenever any charged particle, especially an electron, interacts with matter (the "target"), loses energy and radiates bremsstrahlung as it eventually comes to rest.
Double Bremsstrahlung is the radiation of TWO photons in an electron collision with an ion, atom, molecule or solid.
Characteristic X-rays are those x-rays emitted by an ion which has had one of its inner-shell electrons removed. In collisions of an electron with an atom, the incoming electron may ionize the inner-shell of the target atom. Then characteristic x-rays may be emitted by the target.
Polarizational Bremsstrahlung is the additional radiative process that occurs when a charged particle passes close to an atom (or other complex structure). As the incoming charge passes by it can POLARIZE the atom. The resulting changing electric dipole moment will cause the target to radiate.
If you have time, explore some of the work of my students, post doctoral associates and me on bremsstrahlung and other areas: