Introduction to Ionizing Radiation
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Abstract/Syllabus:
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Coderre, Jeffrey, 22.01 Introduction to Ionizing Radiation, Fall 2006. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare), http://ocw.mit.edu (Accessed 07 Jul, 2010). License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA
Introduction to Ionizing Radiation
Fall 2006

Half section view of an ultracold neutron trapping apparatus. The trap is loaded through inelastic scattering of cold neutrons (11 K) with phonons in superfluid helium-4. Trapped neutrons are detected when they beta decay; energetic decay electrons ionize helium atoms in the superfluid resulting in efficient conversion of electron kinetic energy into light (scintillation). (Image courtesy of NIST.)
Course Highlights
This course features a full list of lecture notes and a complete set of assignments with solutions.
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the basic properties of ionizing radiations and their uses in medicine, industry, science, and environmental studies. We will discuss natural and man-made radiation sources, energy deposition and dose calculations, and various physical, chemical, and biological processes and effects of radiation, with examples of their uses, and principles of radiation protection.
Syllabus
Course Description
The course is intended to provide a broad understanding of a wide range of aspects covering the topic of ionizing radiation. These aspects range from physics, chemistry and biology to epidemiology, risk assessment, and public policy. Topics include: radioactive decay; interactions of the different types of radiation with matter; methods of radiation detection; biological effects of radiation exposure; environmental radiation sources on earth and in space. Several of the more controversial aspects of radiation applications will be discussed.
Required Text
Turner, J. E. Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection. 2nd ed. New York, NY: J. Wiley, 1995. ISBN: 9780471595816.
Grading Policy
There will be about 8 problem sets over the course of the semester. Some of the problem sets will include both conventional problems as well as assignments to find papers in the scientific literature on a specific topic and write an abstract describing the paper. There will be two exams and a final exam. All students are required to write a term paper on a topic related to the subjects covered in this course. A list of possible topics will be provided, but students are free to choose their own topic.
The grading scheme for the class is as follows:
Grading criteria.
ACTIVITIES |
PERCENTAGES |
Homework |
20% |
Term Paper |
15% |
Midterm 1 |
20% |
Midterm 2 |
20% |
Final Exam |
25% |
Calendar
Course calendar.
LEC # |
TOPICS |
KEY DATES |
1 |
Course Introduction/Radiation History/Fundamentals of the Atom |
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2 |
Binding Energy and Nuclear Instability |
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3 |
Binding Energy (cont.)
Alpha Decay
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4 |
Beta Decay |
Problem set 1 due |
5 |
Gamma Decay |
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6 |
Activity and Exponential Decay |
Problem set 2 due |
7 |
Radiological Dating |
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8 |
Radiation Interactions: Heavy Charged Particles |
Problem set 3 due |
9 |
Exam 1 |
|
10 |
Radiation Interactions: Light Charged Particles |
Term paper topic due |
11 |
Radiation Interactions: Photons |
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12 |
Radiation Interactions: Neutrons, Neutron Sources |
Problem set 4 due |
13 |
Radiation Detection/Absorbed Dose |
|
14 |
Absorbed Dose/Radiation Units |
Problem set 5 due |
15 |
Charged Particle Tracks/Radiation Chemistry |
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16 |
Biological Effects/Cell Survival Curves |
Problem set 6 due |
17 |
Exam 2 |
|
18 |
Reactor Tour |
|
19 |
Background Radiation/Radon |
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20 |
The Radiation Environment in Space |
Term paper abstract due |
21 |
Radiation Effects in Materials
Guest Lecture: Prof. Ballinger
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22 |
Biological Effects/Radiation Therapy |
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23 |
Medical Imaging: PET/SPECT/X Rays |
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24 |
"Radiation Controversies": Class Discussion |
Problem set 7 due |
25 |
Radiation Therapy: Protons |
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26 |
Radiological Terrorism |
Term paper due |
|
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Further Reading:
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Readings
This page presents the readings by session, as well as some additional reading materials.
Nuclear Power in Space (PDF) (Courtesy of the U.S. Dept. of Energy.)
Spacecraft Power for Cassini (PDF) (Courtesy of NASA.)
Lecture Notes on "Well Logging" by S. Yip (PDF)
Kehayias, Joseph J., and Silvia Valtueña. "Neutron Activation Analysis Determination of Body Composition." Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care 2 (1999): 453-463.
Halperin, Edward C. "Particle Therapy and Treatment of Cancer." Lancet Oncol 7 (2006): 676-685.
Required Text
Turner, J. E. Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection. 2nd ed. New York, NY: J. Wiley, 1995. ISBN: 9780471595816.
Readings by Session
All chapter-based assignments are taken from the Turner text.
LEC # |
TOPICS |
Readings |
1 |
Course Introduction/Radiation History/Fundamentals of the Atom |
Chapters 1, 2.1-2.4, and 2.10.
Lecture Notes
|
2 |
Binding Energy and Nuclear Instability |
Chapters 3.1 and 3.2. |
3 |
Binding Energy (cont.)
Alpha Decay
|
Chapter 3.3. |
4 |
Beta Decay |
Chapter 3.4. |
5 |
Gamma Decay |
Chapters 3.5-3.8. |
6 |
Activity and Exponential Decay |
Chapter 4. |
7 |
Radiological Dating |
Lecture Notes |
8 |
Radiation Interactions: Heavy Charged Particles |
Chapter 5. |
9 |
Exam 1 |
|
10 |
Radiation Interactions: Light Charged Particles |
Chapter 6. |
11 |
Radiation Interactions: Photons |
Chapter 8. |
12 |
Radiation Interactions: Neutrons, Neutron Sources |
Chapter 9. |
13 |
Radiation Detection/Absorbed Dose |
Chapters 10 and 12. |
14 |
Absorbed Dose/Radiation Units |
Chapter 12. |
15 |
Charged Particle Tracks/Radiation Chemistry |
Chapters 7 and 13.1-13.5. |
16 |
Biological Effects/Cell Survival Curves |
Chapters 13.6, 13.12, and 3.13.
Lecture Notes
|
17 |
Exam 2 |
|
18 |
Reactor Tour |
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19 |
Background Radiation/Radon |
Chapters 4.5-4.6.
Lecture Notes
|
20 |
The Radiation Environment in Space |
Lecture Notes
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