Date of Award
5-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Physics and Astronomy
Committee Chair/Advisor
Dr. Endre Takacs
Committee Member
Dr. Delphine Dean
Committee Member
Dr. Joan Marler
Abstract
The effects of high-dose radiation are well-documented, and are understood to be harmful to the human body. On the other hand, the effects of low-dose radiation are much less understood. There is debate over whether or not there are negative, positive, or no effects at all from low-dose radiation. One of the reasons why these effects are not well known is because there aren't as many studies done on this type of radiation. It is a lot harder to classify the effects of radiation at low doses due to many external factors. However, the Clemson Medical Physics lab has been at the forefront of low-dose x-ray radiation research.
The lab has designed a device that reduces the effects of outside influence, and is able to irradiate cells with highly characterized x-rays to deliver low-dose radiation with great accuracy. One downside to the device, however, was that it was limited in the dose that it can impart, only being able to deliver a few mGy before overheating.
A new set-up was developed in order to expand the range of doses that it can impart on cells. These changes involved moving the x-ray source so it directly hits the target with bremsstrahlung x-rays, and adding in a filter feature to allow for extra control of the x-rays delivered. Preliminary results show that the system is in working order, although users need to be careful to avoid over-saturating the detector to prevent double and triple counting of photons.
Recommended Citation
Ulbrich, Lauren, "Redesign of X-Ray Irradiator to Expand Research of Low-Dose X-Ray Radiation" (2024). All Theses. 4291.
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/4291