The purpose of this project is to compare radiation imaging simulations of protons to X-rays. In this project proton radiography is proposed as an alternative diagnostic method for the nuclear stockpile. The basis of this project is the use of proton radiography for implosion tests. In any nuclear weapon, implosion geometry is crucial. Implosion tests are needed to ensure that the weapons will perform as expected after years of storage. These tests also help validate computer simulations of nuclear weapon performance. The underground nuclear test ban treaty of 19631 makes confirmation of computer simulations vital to stockpile stewardship. In an implosion test a full-scale weapon mock-up is designed and created using a surrogate metal that has similar mechanical properties to those of the fissile material but cannot produce nuclear reactions. During an implosion, shock waves' high pressures and hot temperatures will cause the solid materials present to flow like liquids. Liquid behavior can be described by hydrodynamic equations; implosion tests are often called hydro-tests2 in industry. During the Manhattan Project, scientists took snapshots of imploding mock-ups with intense flashes of high-energy x-rays. In 1995 Los Alamos physicist Chris Morris2 developed a way to use protons instead of x-rays for hydro-test radiography. Proton Radiography has many benefits some of which will be discussed in this report.
Background
Radiography is the production of an image on a radiosensitive surface, such as a photographic film, by radiation other than visible light i.e. radiograph.3 During radiography beams are used to view a material with non-uniform composition. A beam of X-rays is produced by an X-ray generator and is projected towar...
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... use of dose cards to compare the dose for each particle to image at various energies. Running the simulation several times with various materials such as Plutonium at compressed densities would also prove more applicable to use for hydro-testing.
Works Cited
1. Court, Edward C. Snow and John D. "Radiography Image Detector Capability in MCNP4B." Trans. Am. Nucl Soc. ((1998)): 79, 99.
2. Fishbone, Brian. "shaper X-ray vision for hydrotests." Los Alamos research quarterly . http://www.lanl.gov/quarterly/q_w03/pro_rad.shtml.
3. http://www.state.gov/www/global/arms/treaties/ltbt1.html. "Partial Test Ban Treaty." 1963.
4. Koehler, A.M. "Proton Radiography." Science (1968): 160(3825): p. 303-304.
5. Wolbarst, Anthony B. Looking within: how X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and other medical images are created . London England: University California Press, 1990.
These BGO crystals are arranged into 64 distinct segments so that the scintillation light from each of the segments can be distributed onto the photocathodes of four photomultiplier tubes to be amplified. These “block detectors” are placed into modules of four arranged as eight columns of 32 rows of crystals each. A ring of these detectors surrounds the patient during...
The daguerreotype served as a medium for two fundamental forms of expression in the early days – in the field of both the arts and sciences (Daniel, 2004). Daguerre discovered that he could capture images of artistic sculptures so that people could appreciate art even though they were not physically present at the location of the art piece, he also realised that it could be used as a scientific tool where the daguerreotype could capture images through microscopes and other scientific devices so that people did not have to possess any scientific equipment to view the generated images (Daniel, 2004). The unprecedented ability to reproduce a certain image that once could only be viewed through the human eye and stored in the human brain made the daguerreotype a phenomenal invention.
What is radiology? Radiology is a branch of medical science that makes the use of radiation and radioactive materials. Radiology is related to energy- related physical phenomena in the diagnosis and treatment of particular diseases. Two major therapy- related areas of radiology are so- called therapeutic radiology. Therapeutic radiology deals particularly with the use of ionizing radiation is to treat cancer, and interventional radiology, Which radiological imaging techniques are used to assist various minimally invasive surgical procedures.
Radiation is something that the naked eye cannot see, yet has the potential to save lives one treatment at a time or even one image at a time. Since the discovery of x-rays in 1895, it has branched out into numerous modalities each independently specializing in their own ways. X rays are used to aid in the diagnosis and treatments of patients on a case by case scenario. Sometimes doctors can make a diagnosis on the same day or conclude that a patient will require radiation therapy within weeks to follow. Whatever it may be, the importance of x rays and radiation itself is a crucial part of the medical field when it comes to saving lives. Initially it all started with the discovery of x rays but then three years later radiation therapy was introduced to aid with
One of the most recently new advances in radiology is the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI has been around for the past century. It was at first called Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and then it changed to MRI once there was an available image. Walter Gerlach and Otto Stern were the first scientists to start experimenting with the magnetic imaging. Their very first experiment was looking at the magnetic moments of silver by using some type of x-ray beam. The scientists then discovered this was by realizing that the magnetic force in the equipment and in the object itself. In 1975, the first image was finally created using and MRI machine. The scientists used a Fourier Transformation machine to reconstruct images into 2D. The first images ever use diagnostically was in 1980. This is when hospitals began to use them. At first the images took hours to develop and were only used on the patients that needed it most. Even though MRI has been around for a long time, it has advanced and has been one of the best imaging modalities recently (Geva, 2006).
If you watch the news you’ve probably heard all of the tension between us and North Korea with the nuclear arms. Well I have some knowledge to share with you. The first H bomb test and its predecessors, The components of the first H bomb and how it explodes. The science behind the H bomb is long and confusing, but I've simplified it enough to the point to make it understandable and interesting I hope.
To begin with, how has technology changed the field of radiology? Since the discovery of X-radiation there has been a need and desire for studying the human body and the diseases without actually any intervention. Over the past fifty years there has been a revolution in the field of radiology affecting medicine profoundly. “The ability to produce computers powerful enough to reconstruct accurate body images, yet small enough to fit comfortably in the radiology department, has been the major key to this progress”(Gerson 66). The core of radiology’s vast development consists of four diagnostic techniques: computed tomography (CT), digital subtraction angiography (DSA), ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These methods of diagnostic imaging provide accurate information that was not seen before. Amid this information advancement, radiologists have broadened their role of diagnostician. Gerson writes, “With the advent of computer-enhanced imagery and new interventional techniques, these physicians are able to take an active part in performing therapeutic procedures”(66). A radiology breakthrough in 1972 was computed tomography discovered by Godfrey Hounsfield and Allan Cormack. Unlike standard radiography, computed tomography would spin the X-ray tube 360 degrees and inversely another 360 degrees while the patient ta...
In general, ultrasound waves produced by an instrument called transducer are sent into a patient. Some of the waves are absorbed, but the other portion of these waves are reflected when tissue and organ boundaries are encountered. The echoes produced by the reflected waves are then picked up by the transducer and translated in a visible picture often referred to as ultrasound. In the paragraphs that follow, the physics of how the transducer functions, what the ultrasound waves do, and how the image is formed will be explained.
Radiologic Technologists use radiation to produce images of tissue, organs, and vessels that make up the body, as well as cancer, tumors, broken bones, and tumors (Cape Fear Community College). If a person is in the medical imaging field to become a Radiologic Technologist to help people, this part of the job is what grabs their attention, because as soon as they find these problems they omit the images to a doctor that helps take care of it. Radiologic Technologist is a branch of Health Science Cluster Diagnostic services pathway (OkCollegeStart). When a person’s knows where their career choice starts it helps get a better overview of where to start and helps get them where they want to be. Radiologic Technologists review and evaluate developed x-ray, videotape, or computer generated information to determine if images are “satisfactory for diagnostic purposes” (OkCollegeStart). Persons who are more technology driven are attracted to this career because of the technology a person gets to use and process. Radiologic
I was inspired and motivated when I saw radiographers worked on X-Rays, MRI, CT and Ultrasound scanners to produce body images which were used for disease diagnosis. Even though I was not performing a technical job, this experience installed me with a positive impression towards my decision to change a career to the Radiography.
MTC ONLINE, " Reports of Current Experimentation with Microwave and EM Weapons," <http://www.heart7.net/mcf/1.html> (10 August 2003)
Modern medicine is capable of treating a tremendous range of human disease and injuries, but the usefulness of all medical specialties depends on accurate diagnosis. Virtually every conceivable medical specialty relies on radiological technologies to provide formal diagnoses, making radiology one of the most important of all medical specialties. Radiologists enjoy some of the best working conditions in modern medicine and typically experience very positive employment conditions. Consequently, their services are generally in very high demand, with many starting out with six-figure annual incomes immediately after completion of their professional training.
Radiology technology is a science of using radiation to produce images. There are many jobs you can perform in diagnostic imaging usually a radiologic technologist will oft...
Hillman, Bruce J. (1997, September 6). Medical imaging in the 21st century. The Lancet, vol. 350, p. 731.
One of the greatest events of twentieth century was the use of radioisotope as a source of energy and as medical and industrial tools. Using radioactivity has been a global issue owing to its very nature. When it is used for peaceful purposes, it is a triumph of science because it can solve energy problems in the form of nuclear energy but the side effects in the form of harmful radiation and harmful radioactive waste is the real limitations of science. This essay will attempt to analyze the application of science in the use of radioactivity and radioactive isotopes and how science is not so effective in dealing with the side effects.