X-Ray and Neutron Imaging
In physics, radiation is described as the transmission or emission of energy in the form of particles such as electrons, neutrons, protons and alpha particles or waves through a medium such as space, air or through a material. Gamma radiation (γ) and electromagnetic radiation, such as x-rays, radio waves heat and visible light are all examples of radiation. One of the main modern physics discoveries was that each unit of a wavelength of any form of wave radiation will carry more energy the shorter it is. Thus, gamma rays and X-rays are especially more energetic than light. These rays penetrate farther into all sorts of matter (UCLA). This essay seeks to discuss and analyse two forms of radiation; neutron imaging which …show more content…
As previously mentioned, the shorter the wavelengths of radiation, the greater its energy thus x-rays will have a greater energy and strong penetrating power based on its wavelength. Longer wavelengths near the UV ray bar on the electromagnetic spectrum (see fig.1) are called soft (lower energy) x-rays and the shorter wavelength, overlapping the gamma ray range (see fig.1) are known as hard (high energy x-rays). The discovery of the x-ray was done over a century ago (1895) by the German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen who did experiments with a vacuum tube with a wire component at one end forming the cathode (-), and a heavy copper target at the other end forming the anode (+). When Röntgen applied a high voltage to the electrodes, the electrons formed at the cathode were attracted to anode and striked with a high amount of energy. Roentgen found that very penetrating radiations were produced from the anode, which he called x-rays. In an X-ray machine, a stream of highly charged electrons is made to strike a metal target. This arouses some of the electrons in the atoms of the target material. In the process of giving off the excess energy thus gained, the atomic electrons send out Xrays(see fig.2). The principal uses of x-rays are in the field of scientific research, industry, and medicine. Advanced and efficient techniques of x- rays are being developed everyday, like MAX IV. Recently, …show more content…
For example, neutron imaging is used frequently to highlight light materials such as hydrogenous substances with high contrast in engine parts or in fuel cells. Neutron imaging also enables the visualisation of the movement of fluids, such as oil or water, in large metal objects. X rays, like neutron imaging has many applications, they are used in industry and business. For example, x-ray photos of engine parts or whole engine can be taken to look for defects in a non-destructive method. X-rays are also used in medicine to detect cancer, broken bones and teeth. The resulting images from neutron imaging have much in common with industrial X-ray images, but since the image is based on neutron attenuating properties instead of X-ray attenuation properties, some materials simply visible with neutron imaging may be very difficult or impossible to see with X-ray imaging procedures and vice
In physics, radiation is described as the transmission or emission of energy in the form of particles such as electrons, neutrons, protons and alpha particles or waves through a medium such as space, air or through a material. Gamma radiation (γ) and electromagnetic radiation, such as x-rays, radio waves heat and visible light are all examples of radiation. One of the main modern physics discoveries was that each unit of a wavelength of any form of wave radiation will carry more energy the shorter it is. Thus, gamma rays and X-rays are especially more energetic than light. These rays penetrate farther into all sorts of matter (UCLA). This essay seeks to discuss and analyse two forms of radiation; neutron imaging which …show more content…
As previously mentioned, the shorter the wavelengths of radiation, the greater its energy thus x-rays will have a greater energy and strong penetrating power based on its wavelength. Longer wavelengths near the UV ray bar on the electromagnetic spectrum (see fig.1) are called soft (lower energy) x-rays and the shorter wavelength, overlapping the gamma ray range (see fig.1) are known as hard (high energy x-rays). The discovery of the x-ray was done over a century ago (1895) by the German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen who did experiments with a vacuum tube with a wire component at one end forming the cathode (-), and a heavy copper target at the other end forming the anode (+). When Röntgen applied a high voltage to the electrodes, the electrons formed at the cathode were attracted to anode and striked with a high amount of energy. Roentgen found that very penetrating radiations were produced from the anode, which he called x-rays. In an X-ray machine, a stream of highly charged electrons is made to strike a metal target. This arouses some of the electrons in the atoms of the target material. In the process of giving off the excess energy thus gained, the atomic electrons send out Xrays(see fig.2). The principal uses of x-rays are in the field of scientific research, industry, and medicine. Advanced and efficient techniques of x- rays are being developed everyday, like MAX IV. Recently, …show more content…
For example, neutron imaging is used frequently to highlight light materials such as hydrogenous substances with high contrast in engine parts or in fuel cells. Neutron imaging also enables the visualisation of the movement of fluids, such as oil or water, in large metal objects. X rays, like neutron imaging has many applications, they are used in industry and business. For example, x-ray photos of engine parts or whole engine can be taken to look for defects in a non-destructive method. X-rays are also used in medicine to detect cancer, broken bones and teeth. The resulting images from neutron imaging have much in common with industrial X-ray images, but since the image is based on neutron attenuating properties instead of X-ray attenuation properties, some materials simply visible with neutron imaging may be very difficult or impossible to see with X-ray imaging procedures and vice