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X Ray Interaction With Matter PDF

The document discusses 5 types of interactions that can occur when x-rays interact with matter: coherent scattering, Compton scattering, photoelectric effect, pair production, and photodisintegration. It focuses on Compton scattering and the photoelectric effect as the two most important interactions in diagnostic radiology. Differential absorption, which provides contrast in x-ray images, results from differences in the amount of x-rays absorbed between tissues. The probability of these interactions depends on factors like the x-ray energy and the atomic number of the absorbing material.

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Emmie Daguplo
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156 views21 pages

X Ray Interaction With Matter PDF

The document discusses 5 types of interactions that can occur when x-rays interact with matter: coherent scattering, Compton scattering, photoelectric effect, pair production, and photodisintegration. It focuses on Compton scattering and the photoelectric effect as the two most important interactions in diagnostic radiology. Differential absorption, which provides contrast in x-ray images, results from differences in the amount of x-rays absorbed between tissues. The probability of these interactions depends on factors like the x-ray energy and the atomic number of the absorbing material.

Uploaded by

Emmie Daguplo
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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X-RAY INTERACTION

WITH MATTER
Jasmine G. Pua,10RRT
CHAPTER
Coherent Scattering

Compton Scattering
5 Types of
Photoelectric Effect
Interaction
Pair Production

Photodisintegration
Coherent ■ Unmodified / Classical / Elastic Scattering
■ X-ray energy: below 10keV
Scattering ■ Result: Change in direction of the
scattered x-ray without a change in its
energy
■ No energy transfer; No ionization
■ Of little importance to diagnostic radiology
– image noise.

1. Thomson Scattering
2. Rayleigh Scattering
■ Incoherent / Inelastic scattering
Compton ■ X-rays in the diagnostic range
Scattering ■ Interaction with outer shell electrons –
Ionization + Scattering
■ Result: Ionization, change in x-ray
direction, reduction in x-ray energy
■ Ejected electron: Compton electron
■ The probability of Compton scattering is
inversely proportional to x-ray energy (1/E)
and independent of atomic number.

■ Reduces image contrast


Photoelectric ■ X-rays in the diagnostic range
■ Interaction with outer shell electrons –
Effect Ionization
■ X-rays are not scattered, but is totally
absorbed!
■ Ejected electron: Photoelectron
■ The probability of Photoelectric effect is
inversely proportional to x-ray energy
(1/E)^3 and directly proportional to the
third power of atomic number of the
absorbing material Z^3.
Pair ■ X-ray energy: at least 1.02 MeV
■ X-rays escape electron interactions and directly
Production interact with the nuclear field
■ Causes x-rays to disappear and be replaced by
electron and positron.
Photodisintegration ■ X-ray energy: Greater than 10 MeV
■ X-rays escape interactions with the electrical and
nuclear field and directly interacts with the nucleus
■ The nucleus is raised to an excited state and
instantly emits a nucleon or a nuclear fragment
■ In diagnostic radiology, only Compton
Differential
scattering and Photoelectric effect are
important.
Absorption
■ Compton scattering: Image noise
■ Photoelectric effect: Provides diagnostic
information
– Because they do not reach the image
receptor, these x-rays are
representative of anatomical structures
with high x-ray absorption
characteristics (Radiopaque)
Differential
Absorption
■ An x-ray image results from the difference
between the x-rays absorbed
photoelectrically in the patient and those
transmitted to the image receptor.
■ The difference in x-ray interaction is called
differential absorption.
Differential Absorption

■ At low energies, most x-ray interactions with tissue are Photoelectric.


■ At high energies, Compton scattering predominates.
■ As x-ray energy increases, the chance of any interaction at all decreases.
– As kVp is increased, more x-rays penetrate to the IR.
■ Differential absorption increases as the kVp is reduced.
– Low kVp resulting in increased differential absorption provides basis for
mammography.
Differential
Absorption
■ Mass density – quantity of
matter per unit volume.
■ The interaction of x-rays with
tissue is proportional to the
mass density of the tissue
regardless of the type of
interaction.
Contrast
■ Iodine and Barium compounds are used as
an aid for imaging internal organs with x- Examinations
rays – Contrast agents
– Positive contrast agents – high atomic
numbers
– Negative contrast agents – low atomic
numbers

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