Electromagnetic Spectrum

X-ray radiation was discovered by

NMR Roentgen in 1895.
10 um - 10 mm
X-rays are generated by bombarding
electrons on an metallic anode

Emitted X-ray has a characteristic

wavelength depending upon which
700 to 104 nm
metal is present.
400 to 700 nm e.g. Wavelength of X-rays from Cu-
anode = 1.54178 Å
10 to 400 nm

10-1 to 10 nm E= hn= h(c/l)

10-4 to 10 -1 nm l(Å)= 12.398/E(keV)

 X-Rays
• X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation,
just like visible light.
• In a health care setting, a machines sends are
individual x-ray particles, called photons.
• These particles pass through the body. A
computer or special film is used to record the
images that are created.
• Structures that are dense (such as bone) will
block most of the x-ray particles, and will
appear white.
• Metal and contrast media (special dye used to
highlight areas of the body) will also appear
white.
• Structures containing air will be black, and
muscle, fat, and fluid will appear as shades of
gray.
 How the Test is Performed
• The test is performed in a hospital radiology
department or in the health care provider's office by
an x-ray technologist.
• The positioning of the patient, x-ray machine, and
film depends on the type of study and area of
interest. Multiple individual views may be requested.
• Much like conventional photography, motion causes
blurry images on radiographs, and thus, patients may
be asked to hold their breath or not move during the
brief exposure (about 1 second).
• X-rays have smaller wavelengths and therefore
higher energy
• We usually talk about X-rays in terms of their energy
rather than wavelength. This is partially because X-
rays have very small wavelengths. It is also because
X-ray light tends to act more like a particle than a
wave. X-ray detectors collect actual photons of X-ray
light - which is very different from the radio
telescopes that have large dishes designed to focus
radio waves! an ultraviolet waves.
• When you get an X-ray taken at a hospital, X-
ray sensitive film is put on one side of your
body, and X-rays are shot through you.
• At a dentist, the film is put inside your mouth,
on one side of your teeth, and X-rays are shot
through your jaw, just like in this picture. It
doesn't hurt at all - you can't feel X-rays.
• Because your bones and teeth are dense and
absorb more X-rays then your skin does,
silhouettes of your bones or teeth are left on
the X-ray film while your skin appears
transparent. Metal absorbs even more X-rays -
can you see the filling in the image of the
tooth?
• When the Sun shines on us at a certain angle,
our shadow is projected onto the ground.
Similarly, when X-ray light shines on us, it goes
through our skin, but allows shadows of our
bones to be projected onto and captured by
film.
• This is an X-ray photo of a one year old girl.
Can you see the shadow of what she
swallowed?
• http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/xray/
 X-ray machine

• The first X-ray device was discovered accidentally

by the German scientist Wilhelm Roentgen (1845-
1923) in 1895. He found that a cathode-ray tube
emitted invisible rays that could penetrate paper
and wood. The rays caused a screen of fluorescent
material several yards away to glow. Roentgen
used his device to examine the bone structure of
the human hand
 Medical Use of X-rays

• The most important application of the X-ray has

been its use in medicine. This importance was
recognized almost immediately after Roentgen's
findings were published in 1895. Within weeks
of its first demonstration, an X-ray machine was
used in America to diagnose bone fractures.
 What Are X-rays?

• X-rays are waves of electromagnetic energy. They behave in much

the same way as light rays, but at much shorter wavelengths.
When directed at a target, X-rays can often pass through the
substance uninterrupted, especially when it is of low density.
Higher density targets (like the human body) will reflect or absorb
the X-rays. They do this because there is less space between the
atoms for the short waves to pass through. Thus, an X-ray image
shows dark areas where the rays traveled completely through the
target (such as with flesh). It shows light areas where the rays
were blocked by dense material (such as bone).
 Modern X-Ray Machines
• Modern medical X-ray machines have been
grouped into two categories: those that generate
"hard" X-rays and those that generate "soft" X-rays.
Soft X-rays are the kind used to photograph bones
and internal organs. They operate at a relatively
low frequency and, unless they are repeated too
often, cause little damage to tissues.
• Hard X-rays are very high frequency rays. They are designed to
destroy the molecules within specific cells, thus destroying tissue.
Hard X-rays are used in radiotherapy, a treatment for cancer. The
high voltage necessary to generate hard X-rays is usually produced
using cyclotrons or synchrotrons. These machines are variations
of particle accelerators (atom smashers).
• One of the more familiar X-ray machines is the security scanner
used to examine baggage at airports. These machines use a very
low-power scanner. They illuminate the interior of purses and
suitcases without causing damage to the contents.