4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 1 of 21 Session I.4.11 Part I Review of Fundamentals Module 4Sources of Radiation Session 11X-Ray Production IAEA Post Graduate Educational Course Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 2 of 21 Overview  In this session we will discuss how X-rays are produced  We will also discuss some of the characteristics of low energy X-ray machines  Finally, we will discuss X-ray production from linear accelerators and other machines

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 3 of 21 X-rays are useful for seeing what is inside something Observation

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 4 of 21 As was discussed in Session I.2.3, X-rays are produced either as  characteristic X-rays (electron transition from one energy orbit around the atom to another orbit more tightly bound to the nucleus) or  bremsstrahlung (electrons losing energy as they pass in the vicinity of atoms and are deflected by the positive and negative charges) X-Rays

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 5 of 21  characteristic X-rays have defined predictable energies (the energy difference between the two orbits traversed by the electron)  bremsstrahlung is composed of a spectrum of energies ranging from near zero to a maximum energy equal to the initial energy of the electron. The energy of the X-ray produced depends on how much energy the electron loses during an interaction (the most it can lose is all the energy it has – the least it can lose is a very small amount, almost zero) X-Rays

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 6 of 21  characteristic X-rays are useful for identifying things  since the energies emitted are “characteristic” of the atoms that make up the object, an analysis of the energies emitted can help to identify the object  thus characteristic X-rays are used for trace element analysis, which is important in forensic science (matching evidence samples) and other activities (such as identifying contaminants) X-Rays

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 7 of 21  bremsstrahlung X-rays are extensively used in medical and industrial applications  Medical X-ray units are used for Diagnostic Radiology and Linear Accelerators are used for Radiation Therapy  Industrial X-ray units are used to “diagnose” problems with inanimate objects (such as faulty welds on pipes) or to search for contraband (baggage inspection units at airports) X-Rays

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 8 of 21 Medical Diagnostic(portable)

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 9 of 21 Diagnostic Medical X-Ray Unit

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 10 of 21 Diagnostic Medical X-Ray Unit HIGH VOLTAGE CABLES X-RAY TUBE HOUSING (ASSEMBLY) COLLIMATOR

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 11 of 21 Medical Dental(diagnostic)

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 12 of 21 Superficial Therapy (low energy) Medical

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 13 of 21 Radiotherapy (high energy) Accelerates electrons but can also produce high energy X-rays by directing the electron beam into a target as is done in a typical diagnostic X-ray unit. Medical

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 14 of 21 X-Ray Unit

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 15 of 21 Megavoltage X-ray LINAC target electrons x-rays

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 16 of 21 X-rays produced from high energy electrons impinging on a target tend to be scattered in the forward direction X-rays produced by lower energy electrons tend to be scattered at right angles to the direction of the electron beam X-Ray Emission

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 17 of 21 Industrial X-Ray Diffraction

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 18 of 21 Industrial Radiography

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 19 of 21 For comparison, the output of a 1 TBq 192 Ir Radiography Source is about m Industrial Some typical radiation output measurements from industrial radiography units with beryllium windows X-Ray UnitkVpmAmGy hr 1 m Magnaflux Sperry

4/2003 Rev 2 I.4.11 – slide 20 of 21 Where to Get More Information  Cember, H., Johnson, T. E., Introduction to Health Physics, 4th Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York (2008)  Martin, A., Harbison, S. A., Beach, K., Cole, P., An Introduction to Radiation Protection, 6 th Edition, Hodder Arnold, London (2012)  Turner, J. E., Atoms, Radiation and Radiation Protection, 3 rd Edition, Wiley VCH Verlag, Chichester (2007)  Dendy, P., P., Heaton, B., et al, Physics for Diagnostic Radiology, CRC Press, London (2011)