Attenuation of Gamma Rays

They are created by projecting high-energy X-rays (gamma rays) through your body.In summary, the absorption of gamma rays in materials is mainly used for shielding purposes due to their high penetration and damaging effects on living tissue. This was recently demonstrated by the detection of a faint gamma-ray burst from the explosion of the earliest known object in the Universe. There are three main types of gamma ray absorption: photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, and pair production. X-ray images also utilize gamma rays in order to create images of the body's interior.
  • #1
korkox
3
0
I need to know the practical applications of the absorption of gamma rays in materials.
 
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  • #2
Most of the time, it's shielding. In other words, gamma rays (an neutrons) are highly penetrating and are very damaging to living tissue, so the typical use of materials for attenuating gamma radiation is shielding.
 
  • #3
Speaking of Gamma Rays,
Just got an e-mail from the ESO's Very Large Telescope about a faint gamma-ray burst detected last Thursday that is the signature of the explosion of the earliest, most distant known object in the Universe.

http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/press-rel/pr-2009/pr-17-09.html"
 
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  • #4
There are three distinct regions of gamma ray absorption; a)Photoelectric effect (usually roughly below the binding energy of the 1s shell electrons in nuclei), c) above the pair production threshold (above 1.02 MeV) with some Z dependence, and b) (between a )and c)) Compton scattering.
 
  • #5
this smells homework... "I need"

I can give you a practical use: X-ray images
 

1. What is "Attenuation of Gamma Rays"?

"Attenuation of Gamma Rays" refers to the decrease in intensity of gamma rays as they pass through a material. It is a measure of how much the gamma rays are absorbed or scattered by the material.

2. How does the attenuation of gamma rays occur?

The attenuation of gamma rays occurs through three main processes: photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, and pair production. These processes involve interactions between the gamma rays and the atoms of the material, resulting in a decrease in the intensity of the gamma rays.

3. What factors affect the attenuation of gamma rays?

The attenuation of gamma rays is affected by the type and energy of the gamma rays, the density and thickness of the material, and the atomic number and composition of the material.

4. Why is the attenuation of gamma rays important?

The attenuation of gamma rays is important in various fields such as medical imaging, industrial radiography, and radiation protection. It allows us to control and measure the amount of radiation exposure to individuals and objects.

5. How is the attenuation of gamma rays measured?

The attenuation of gamma rays is measured using a device called a gamma ray spectrometer. This device detects and measures the intensity of gamma rays before and after they pass through a material, allowing for the calculation of the attenuation coefficient of the material.

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