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X-ray Timers

• Model 8200D Digital/8200A Universal X-ray Timer
• X-ray List

Instrumentation

• Model 815, kVp Meter
• Model 8700, X-ray Pulse Counter

X-ray Detectors

• Electronic X-ray Detector
• X-ray Output Detector

Radiation Detectors

• Model 380 Personal Radiation Detector

Engineering

• Electronic Design Services

The list below shows commonly used radiation terms, as defined by www.epa.gov/radiation/terms and www.orau.gov/reacts/definitions.

Alpha Particle

A positively charged particle made up of two neutrons and two protons emitted by certain radioactive nuclei. Alpha particles can be stopped by thin layers of light materials, such as a sheet of paper, and pose no direct or external radiation threat; however, they can pose a serious health threat if ingested or inhaled.

Background Radiation

The radiation in man's natural environment, including cosmic rays and radiation from the naturally radioactive elements, both outside and inside the bodies of humans and animals. It is also called natural radiation. Man-made sources of radioactivity contribute to total background radiation levels.

Beta Particle

An electron or positron emitted by certain radioactive nuclei. Beta particles can be stopped by aluminum.They can pose a serious direct or external radiation threat and can be lethal depending on the amount received.They also pose a serious internal radiation threat if inhaled or ingested.

Dose

The energy deposited in any material by any type of radiation. Radiation Absorbed Dose (RAD) = 100 erg gm. Dose is related to exposure by 1 R = 88 erg / gm = 0.88 RAD.

Dose Equivalent (DE)

The common unit for DE is the Roentgen Equivalent Man (REM). DE = 1 REM = RAD x Q

Exposure

The Roentgen is defined as the amount of x- and/or gamma-ray radiation that produces a specific charge in dry air.
1 Roentgen (R) = 2.08 X 10⁹ ion-pairs / 1cc dry air

Gamma Rays

High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted by certain radionuclides when their nuclei transition from a higher to a lower energy state. These rays have high energy and a short wave length. All gamma rays emitted from a given isotope have the same energy, a characteristic that enables scientists to identify which gamma emitters are present in a sample. Gamma rays are very similar to x-rays.

Hazardous Waste

Waste products that can pose a substantial or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly managed. Hazardous waste is regulated at the federal level under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. A waste may be hazardous because it has at least one of four characteristics - ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or toxicity--or it may be included on one of several lists of waste groups that are known to be hazardous.

Qualitative Risk Assessment:

A broad general analysis to determine whether a more extensive analysis is necessary. It essentially answers the question "safe or unsafe".

Quality Factor (Q)

A multiplying factor applied to the Dose (RAD), representing the effect of different values of energy deposited per unit distance in tissue for different types of radiation. Some examples: Gamma rays and x-rays Q = 1, for Alpha particles Q = 20, and for Thermal radiation Q = 2.3.

Radioactive Half-life

Time for a source to decay to 1/2 of its initial activity.

Radioactivity

The spontaneous emission of radiation from the nucleus of an unstable atom. As a result of this emission, the radioactive atom is converted, or decays, into an atom of a different element that might or might not be radioactive.