1/28/13 Geometric Unsharpness

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Radiography

Introduction
Geometric Unsharpness History
Pre se nt State
Future Dire ction
Geometric unsharpness refers to the loss of definition that is the result of geometric factors of
the radiographic equipment and setup. It occurs because the radiation does not originate from a Physics of Radiography
Nature of Pe ne trating
single point but rather over an area. Consider the images below which show two sources of R adiation
X-rays
different sizes, the paths of the radiation from each edge of the source to each edge of the Gam m a R ays
feature of the sample, the locations where this radiation will expose the film and the density Activity
De cay R ate
profile across the film. In the first image, the radiation originates at a very small source. Since all -C arbon 14 Dating
of the radiation originates from basically the same point, very little geometric unsharpness is Ionization
Inve rse Square Law
produced in the image. In the second image, the source size is larger and the different paths that Inte raction of R T/Matte r
Atte nuation C oe fficie nt
the rays of radiation can take from their point of origin in the source causes the edges of the Half-Value Laye r
Source s of Atte nuation
notch to be less defined. -C om pton Scatte ring
Ge om e tric Unsharpne ss
Filte rs in R adiography
Scatte r/R adiation C ontrol
R adiation Safe ty

Equipment & Materials

X-ray Ge ne rators
R adio Isotope Source s
R adiographic Film
Ex posure Vaults

Techniques & Calibrations

Im aging C onside ration
C ontrast
De finition
R adiographic De nsity
C haracte ristic C urve s
Ex posure C alculations
C ontrolling Q uality
Film Proce ssing
Vie wing R adiographs
R adiograph Inte rp-W e lds
R adiograph Inte rp -
C astings
The three factors controlling unsharpness are source size, source to object distance, and object
A dvanced Techniques
to detector distance. The source size is obtained by referencing manufacturers specifications for R e al-tim e R adiography
a given X-ray or gamma ray source. Industrial x-ray tubes often have focal spot sizes of 1.5 mmCXRom pute d Tom ography
SIM
squared but microfocus systems have spot sizes in the 30 micron range. As the source size
decreases, the geometric unsharpness also decreases. For a given size source, the unsharpness R e fe re nce s
can also be decreased by increasing the source to object distance, but this comes with a Quizzes
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reduction in radiation intensity.

The object to detector distance is usually kept as small as possible to help minimize
unsharpness. However, there are situations, such as when using geometric enlargement, when
the object is separated from the detector, which will reduce the definition. The applet below
allow the geometric unsharpness to be visualized as the source size, source to object distance,
and source to detector distance are varied. The area of varying density at the edge of a feature
that results due to geometric factors is called the penumbra. The penumbra is the gray area seen
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in the applet.

Codes and standards used in industrial radiography

require that geometric unsharpness be limited. In general,
the allowable amount is 1/100 of the material thickness up
to a maximum of 0.040 inch. These values refer to the
degree of penumbra shadow in a radiographic image.
Since the penumbra is not nearly as well defined as shown
in the image to the right, it is difficult to measure it in a
radiograph. Therefore it is typically calculated. The source
size must be obtained from the equipment manufacturer or
measured. Then the unsharpness can be calculated using
measurements made of the setup.

For the case, such as that shown to the right, where a

sample of significant thickness is placed adjacent to the
detector, the following formula is used to calculate the
maximum amount of unsharpness due to specimen
thickness:

Ug = f * b/a

f = source focal-spot size

a = distance from the source to front surface of the object
b = the thickness of the object

For the case when the detector is not placed

next to the sample, such as when geometric
magnification is being used, the calculation
becomes:

Ug = f* b/a
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1/28/13 Geometric Unsharpness

f = source focal-spot size.

a = distance from x-ray source to front
surface of material/object
b = distance from the front surface of
the object to the detector

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