Radiation Safety and the Attenuation of X-Rays by Matter
Videos 8.1-8.5 discuss two related topics: radiation safety in the laboratory and attenuation of X-rays in solid matter. These videos are independently accessible without viewing those in previous sections. Important caveat: watching these videos is not a substitute for learning and following institutional, state, and national guidelines and regulations for safe handling and operation of radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment.
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8.1 - Introduction to Radiation Safety
Paul A. Heiney
Units and quality factors for radioactive sources and doses. How serious are different dosages? Time 7:48.
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8.2 - Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation
Paul A. Heiney
What happens inside a cell exposed to ionizing radiation, and more generally what are the biomedical effects of radiation. Time 3:32.
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8.3 - What to Watch Out for in the Lab
Paul A. Heiney
General considerations for radiation safety in the lab. Shielding of X-ray diffraction units. Time: 6:18.
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8.4 - Attenuation of X-rays in Matter
Paul A. Heiney
Importance of attenuation in lab safety. Calculation of attenuation lengths. Time 6:21.
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8.5 - Applications of X-ray Attenuation
Paul A. Heiney
Effect of beam attenuation going through the sample in an X-ray scattering measurement. Transmission and sample thickness. Design of shielding. Effect of shorter wavelengths ("harmonic contamination.") Time 7:35.