Radiation Interaction

with Matter
Jefferson King A. Fontilar, RRT
Radiation Interaction with Matter
• Gamma rays and c-rays interact differently with matter depending on
the energy of the photon. Below are the five general interactions
with matter:
1. Classical Scattering
2. Compton Scattering
3. Photoelectric Effect
4. Pair Production
5. Photodisintegration
Classical Scattering
What is Scattering?
• Scattering – a change in the direction of photons caused by
the interaction between photons and matter.
Classical Scattering
• Also known as Coherent/Thomson/Rayleigh Scattering
• An incident photon interacts with matter and excites an atom,
causing it to vibrate. The vibration causes the photon to scatter.
• Incident photon undergoes a change in direction without a change
in wavelength (incident photon is equal to the wavelength of
scattered x-ray)
• Occurs only in diagnostic x-ray (low energy x-rays <10keV).
•5-10% during the interaction (probability of occurrence)
• Scattered x-rays contributes to film fog (no useful effect)
Compton Interaction
• A type of photon interaction which results when an incident photon
of relatively high energy ejects few electrons.
• Electrons from the outer orbital are deflected by the same electron
causing to travel in a new direction as scattered or secondary radiation.
• Not only scatters x-ray but also produces enough energy to ionize
other atoms as well,
• Probability of occurrence is 20%
• Produces Compton (aka secondary/recoil/scattered electron).
• Occurs in diagnostic radiology only
• Contributes no useful information to the image.
3 end products in Compton Interaction
1. Scattered x-ray (reduced energy)
2. Recoil electron with some
kinetic energy
3. Ionized atom
2 undesirable consequences of CI
1. The scattered radiation that continues in the forward direction
and reaches the image receptor decreases the quality (contrast) of
the image.
2. The radiation that is scattered from the patient is the
predominant source of radiation exposure to the radiation
personnel.
Photoelectric Effect
• Occurs with the probability of 75%
• Occurs when an incident x-ray is totally absorbed during the ionization
of the k-shell electron. The incident photon disappears and the k-shell
electron (now called photoelectron), is ejected from the atom.
• Good effect is it produces good radiograph due to its high contrast
from absorption (it gives white contrast).
• Bad effect is increased patient dose due to absorption.
• Removed electron is called photoelectron, secondary, or
recoil electron.
Pair Production
• Occurs with x-rays that have energies >1.022 MeV.
• Photon interacts with nuclear force field and two electrons that
have opposite electrostatic charges are created (Positron and
Negatron), each possessing 0.511 MeV.
• Useful in Positron Emission Tomography (PET), not in diagnostic.
• Incident electron is absorbed by the atom, producing
Annihilation Electron.
Annihilation Process/Reaction
• Inverse reaction or
counterpart of pair
production.
• Occurs when positron
and electron unites
and their energy is
combined.

a. Pair Production – produced 2 electron (negatron

& positron)
b. Annihilation Process – positron and negatron unites
and their energy is combined
Photodisentigration
• The photon is absorbed by the
nucleus, then nuclear fragment is
emitted.
• Energy of x-ray required for this
interaction is > or = 7-10 MeV.
Two most important interactions in radiology
1. Compton Scattering – because of the effect of backscatter
radiation to radiation workers.
2. Photoelectric Effect – because it is responsible for the production
of an image in the radiograph.
Occurs in Diagnostic Radiology
1. Classical Scattering
2. Compton Effect
3. Photoelectric Effect
Half Value Layer
• The thickness of an absorbing material
necessary to reduce the x-ray intensity to
one-half o its original value.
• The HVL is often used in radiography
because it is easier to remember values and
perform simple calculations.
• In shielding calculation, such as illustrated, it
can be seen that if thickness of one HVL is
known, it is possible to quickly determine
how much material is needed to reduce the
intensity of x-ray to less than 1%.
HVL for materials from Gamma source
Source Concrete Steel Lead Tungsten Uranium
Iridium- 44.5 12.7 4.8 3.3 2.8
192 (1.75) (0.5) (0.19) (0.13) (0.11)
Cobalt-6 60.5 21.6 12.5 7.9 6.9
0 (2.38) (0.85 (0.49) (0.31) (0.27)
HVL for materials from X-ray source
Peak Voltage Lead Concrete
(kVp)
50 0.06 (0.002) 4.32 (0.170)
100 0.27 (0.010) 15.10 (0.595)
150 0.30 (0.012) 22.32 (0.879)
200 0.52 (0.021) 25.0 (0.984)