Question

The optimal x-ray energy for producing high contrast images is approximately in the range 20-40 keV. In terms of what we know about how x-rays interact with atoms, discuss the main mechanisms that determine this optimal range and what happens to the images for energies outside this range.?

Answer 1

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S. No.	Aspect or statement	Description or Reason
	The optimal x-ray energy for producing high contrast images is approximately in the range 20-40 keV. In terms of what we know about how x-rays interact with atoms, discuss the main mechanisms that determine this optimal range?	Main mechanism which determines X-ray optimal energy range: (a)By planck’s energy equation E = hc/ λ where h = Planck constant, c = speed of light & λ = wavelength (b)For X-ray to capture high contrast images, it should interact with atoms of the objects on which it is projected. (c)Typical size of atoms ranges in angstroms (typically around 0.5 Angstroms i.e. 0.5*10^-10 m) (d)Thus, X-ray will interact with atoms when their wavelength will be closer to this size of atoms. (e)From Planck’s equation given above, Energy E comes out to be around 25 keV for 0.5 Angstrom wavelength of X-ray. ===>Optimal X-ray energy range is 20-40keV
	What happens to the images for energies outside this range?	Outside this range, wavelength of X-ray will not match size of atoms. ===>X-ray will not be able to capture high contrast images.

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