NUCMED Flashcards
__ unit of exposure. The quantity exposure is a measure of ionization produced in air by photons.
roentgen
(1) defines exposure (X) as the quotient of dQ by dm where dQ is the absolute value of the total charge of the ions of one sign produced in air when all the electrons (negatrons and positrons) liberated by photons in air of mass dm are completely stopped in air
The International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU)
(SI) unit for exposure ___ but the special unit is roentgen (R).’
coulomb per kilogram(C/kg)
1R = __
2.58 x 10 -4 C/kg air
An x-ray beam in passing through air sets in motion electrons by
photoelectric effect, Compton effect, or pair production.
These high-speed electrons produce ___ along their tracks. Because of the __ produced by the __ applied across the ion-collection plates, the positive charges move toward the negative plate and the negative charges move toward the positive plate.
ionization; electric field ; voltage
This constitutes a current. The collected charge of either sign can be measured by an
ELECTROMETER.
Deals with the measurement of the absorbed dose or dose rate resulting from the interaction of ionizing radiation with matter.
DOSIMETRY
It also refers to the determination of radiologically relevant quantities such as:
- Exposure
- Kerma
- Fluence etc.
Any device that is capable of providing a reading that is a measure of the absorbed dose D, deposited in its sensitive volume V by ionizing radiation. __ is a device that measures __ OR __
Dosimeters ; directly or indirectly
Dosimeter is a device that measures directly or indirectly:
Absorbed dose
Exposure
Kerma
Equivalent dose
Or other related quantities.
Dosimeters Divided into Two:
- Absolute dosimeters
- Secondary dosimeters
the dose is determined without reference to another dosimeter. g: free air ionization chamber, specially designed spherical chambers of known volume, calorimeter, Fricke dosimeter.
Absolute Dosimeters
these dosimeters require calibration against a primary standard. Eg: thimble chambers, plane parallel ion chambers, TLD’s, Diodes and Films.
Secondary Dosimeters
consists of a cylindrical chamber containing air at atmospheric pressure.
A moderate voltage (__) is applied between two electrodes, the anode and cathode
Ion chamber; 100 volts
is an instrument used in the measurement of the roentgen according to its definition.
free-air, or standard, ionization chamber
chambers are too delicate and bulky for routine use.
Free-air ionization chamber
Their main function is in the standardizing laboratories where they can be used to calibrate field instruments such as a thimble chamber.
Free-air ionization chamber
__ is originating from a focal spot S, is defined by the diaphragm D, and passes centrally between a pair of parallel plates. A high-voltage (field strength of the order of 100 V/cm) is applied between the plates to collect ions produced in the air between the plates. The ionization is measured for a length L defined by the limiting lines of force to the edges of the collection plate C.
free-air chamber
The lines of force are made straight and perpendicular to the collector by a
guard ring
It works based on the Bragg -Gray Cavity theory
3.THIMBLE CHAMBERS
relates the radiation dose in a cavity volume of material to the dose that would exist in a surrounding medium in the absence of the cavity volume. The absorbed dose in the cavity containing is deposited entirely by charged particles crossing it.
Bragg-Gray cavity theory
is spherical volume of air compressed into a solid shell with an air cavity at the center.
Thimble Chamber
is when the number of electrons entering the cavity is the same as that leaving the cavity,
Electronic Equilibrium,
In practice, however, a thimble chamber is constructed with wall thicknesses of __ and this is supplemented with close-fitting caps of __ or other plastic to bring the total wall thickness up to that needed for electronic equilibrium for the radiation in question
1mm or less; Plexiglas
is shaped like a sewing thimble-hence the name.
Chamber Wall
Most commonly used wall materials are made either of ___ coated on the inside by a conducting layer of __or of a conducting mixture of __
graphite (carbon), Bakelite, or a plastic; graphite ; Bakelite and graphite.
The effective atomic number of the wall is generally a little less than that of air. It is closer to that of
carbon (Z = 6)
PRACTICAL THIMBLE CHAMBERS
- Condenser Chambers
- Farmer Chamber
is a thimble ionization chamber connected to a condenser.
A condenser chamber
are suitable for measuring exposure rate in air for relatively lower energy beams (≤2 MeV).
Condenser chambers
manufactured by Victoreen Instrument Company.
Victoreen condenser chamber
designed a chamber which provided a stable and reliable secondary standard for x-rays and y rays for all energies in the therapeutic range. This chamber connected to a specific electrometer (to measure ionization charge) is known as the __
Baldwin-Farmer substandard dosimeter