Attenuation of X Rays

Absorption of X Rays

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 ATTENUATION
• Attenuation is the reduction in the intensity
of an x-ray beam as it traverses matter,
either by the absorption of photons or
deflection (scattering) of photons from the
beam.
Attenuation of X Rays
Definition of Attenuation

Io

P
Ia

Attenuator (Absorber)
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 Attenuation of X Rays
Effect of Attenuator Thickness

Equal thicknesses of a given

attenuator remove equal
fractions of the beams energy.
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 Attenuation of X Rays
Effect of Attenuator Thickness

24

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 Attenuation of X Rays
Effect of Attenuator Thickness

24

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 Attenuation of X Rays
Effect of Attenuator Thickness

24 1
2 = 12

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 Attenuation of X Rays
Effect of Attenuator Thickness

24 1
2 = 12

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 Attenuation of X Rays
Effect of Attenuator Thickness

1
24 1
2 = 12 2 =6

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 Attenuation of X Rays
Effect of Attenuator Thickness

1
24 1
2 = 12 2 =6

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 Attenuation of X Rays
Effect of Attenuator Thickness

1 1
24 1
2 = 12 2 =6 2 =3

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Attenuation of X Rays

Half Value Layer

(HVL)

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 Attenuation of X Rays
Half Value Layer (HVL)

The thicknesses of an
attenuator that reduces
the intensity of the beam
to one half.
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Attenuation of X Rays
Half Value Layer (HVL)

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 Attenuation of X Rays
Half Value Layer (HVL)

This is not a measurement of

the attenuator, but of the mean
energy level of the beam.
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Attenuation of X Rays

6
Methods
of
Attenuation
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Attenuation of X Rays

1
Method
is
Geometry-based
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Attenuation of X Rays

Law
Square
Inverse

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 Attenuation of X Rays
Inverse Square Law = Distance
If x x1=x, then area is x2.
Since distance ratio is 2d/d,
d then yy1 = 2x x1,or 2x.
Thus area at 2d is (2x) 2 or
2d x
x2
x1 4x2.

4x2
y y1

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Attenuation of X Rays

5
Methods
are
Interactive
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Attenuation of X Rays

Different wavelength of photons

= different energies for interactions

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 Attenuation of X Rays
Number of Photons Spectrum of Wavelengths: Polychromatic

Wavelengths
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Attenuation of X Rays
Coherent Scatter: Thomson Effect

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Attenuation of X Rays
Coherent Scatter: Thomson Effect

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Attenuation of X Rays
Coherent Scatter: Thomson Effect

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Attenuation of X Rays
Coherent Scatter: Rayleigh Effect

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Attenuation of X Rays
Coherent Scatter: Rayleigh Effect

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Attenuation of X Rays
Coherent Scatter: Rayleigh Effect

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Attenuation of X Rays
Coherent Scatter: Rayleigh Effect

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Attenuation of X Rays
Photoelectric Effect

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Attenuation of X Rays
Photoelectric Effect

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Attenuation of X Rays
Photoelectric Effect

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Attenuation of X Rays
Photoelectric Effect

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Attenuation of X Rays
Photoelectric Effect

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Attenuation of X Rays
Incoherent Scatter: Compton Effect

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Attenuation of X Rays
Incoherent Scatter: Compton Effect

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 Attenuation of X Rays
Pair Production and Annihilation Reaction

1.02 MeV

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Attenuation of X Rays
Pair Production and Annihilation Reaction

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Attenuation of X Rays
Pair Production and Annihilation Reaction

e-

e+

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Attenuation of X Rays
Pair Production and Annihilation Reaction

e-+
e

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Attenuation of X Rays
Pair Production and Annihilation Reaction

0.51 MeV

0.51 MeV
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Attenuation of X Rays
Photonuclear Disintegration

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Attenuation of X Rays
Photonuclear Disintegration

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Attenuation of X Rays
Photonuclear Disintegration

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Attenuation of X Rays
Photonuclear Disintegration

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 Attenuation of X Rays

Secondary and Scattered Radiation

Consists of
1. Secondary electrons
a. Photoelectrons
b. Compton or recoil electrons
c. Pair production electrons

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 Attenuation of X Rays

Secondary and Scattered Radiation

Consists of
1. Secondary electrons
a. Photoelectrons
b. Compton or recoil electrons
c. Pair production electrons

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 Attenuation of X Rays

2. Secondary and scattered x rays

a. Coherent (unmodified) scattered
b. Characteristic
c. Compton (modified)
d. Annihilation
3. Nuclear particles
a. Protons
b. Neutrons
c. Alpha particles
d. Other particles
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 Attenuation of X Rays

2. Secondary and scattered x rays

a. Coherent (unmodified) scattered
b. Characteristic
c. Compton (modified)
d. Annihilation
3. Nuclear particles

a. Protons
b. Neutrons
c. Alpha particles
d. Other particles
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Density and Differential Attenuation
• Most interactions in diagnostic x-ray are Compton
• Compton scatter depends on electron density
• Differences in tissue electron density mainly due
to differences in physical density (little variation
in e/gram)
• Thus: differences in tissue density is one of the
primary reasons why we see a radiograph. Density
determines e/cm3 of the tissue, and thus
determines its x-ray stopping power.