7910 (v.7) Radiation Physics 201

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Area:	Department of Applied Physics
Credits:	12.5
Contact Hours:	3.0
Lecture:	1 x 2 Hours Weekly
Tutorial:	1 x 1 Hours Weekly
Prerequisite(s):	1744 (v.3) Structure of Matter 102 or any previous version AND 7062 (v.6) Mathematics 101 or any previous version
Syllabus:	Radioactivity - Natural radioactivity, Interaction of charged particles, electromagnetic radiation. X-rays - Bremsstrahlung and Characteristic x-rays, Kramer's formula, Fluorescent yield, Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Filtration. Neutrons - production, detection, interactions with matter, absorption cross-section, neutron activation analysis and soil moisture determination. Particle Accelerators - Van de Graff, linear accelerator, cyclotron, synchrotron, application to radiography, radioisotope production, materials science. Detection Methods - Gas filled detectors. Ionisation chamber, proportional counter, GM counter, dead time, quenching. Scintillation counters, semiconductor devices Ge(Li), Si(Li). Detection efficiency, Energy resolution. Spectroscopy, Pulse height analysis, nuclear spectroscopy, application to mineral exploration and medical diagnosis. Radioanalytical Techniques in medical imaging, industrial processes, biological studies. Non-destructive elemental analysis using, charge particle activation, PIXE, applications to surface concentration, depth profile analysis. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, X-ray diffraction. Radiation Dosimetry - Roentgen, Gray, Sievert, Exposure measurement, Free air ionization Chamber, Air wall chambers
Unit Outcomes:	On successful completion of this unit students will be able to describe the nature of radioactivity in terms of half-life, serial decay schemes and mathematical modelling of disequilibria. They will have learnt how to calculate and graphically representsecular, transient and "no equilibrium" decay and describe the variety of interactions of radiation with matter. They will be able to explain how characteristic and Bremsstrahlung radiation are generated, absorbed and scattered, the principle of operation of accelerators, cyclotrons and synchrotrons, the principles of gas filled detectors, scintillation detectors and solid state detectors, understand pulse height analysis and explain its applications to industrial and medical applications and explain and describe the radiation dosimetry terms.
Text and references listed above are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information.
Unit References:	Lapp, R E and Andrews, H L, 1972, 'Nuclear Radiation Physics, 4th edition, Pitman, London. Cember, H, 1983, 'Introduction to Health Physics, 2nd Edition, Pergamon Press, New York. Krane, K S, 1987, 'Introduction to Nuclear Physics'.
Unit Texts:	No prescribed text.
Unit Assessment Breakdown:	Mid Semester Test 20%. Assignments 20%. Final Examination 60%.
Year Location Period Internal Area External Central External 2004 Bentley Campus Semester 1 Y