Useful Radiation Effects

Publisher Summary Radiation in the form of gamma rays, beta particles, and neutrons is being used in science and industry to achieve desirable changes. Radiation doses control offending organisms, including cancer cells and harmful bacteria, and sterilizes insects. Local energy deposition can also stimulate chemical reactions and modify the structure of plastics and semiconductors. Neutrons and X-rays are used to investigate basic physical and biological processes. This chapter describes some of these important applications of radiation. Diseases such as cancer can be treated by gamma rays. Food spoilage is reduced greatly by irradiation. Medical supplies are rendered sterile within plastic containers. Sewage sludge can be disinfected by irradiation. New and improved crops are produced by radiation mutations. The sterile insect technique has controlled insect pests in many areas of the world. Radiation serves as a catalyst in the production of certain chemicals. Properties of fibers and wood are enhanced by radiation treatment. Desirable impurities can be induced in semiconductor materials by neutron bombardment. The scattering by neutrons provides information on magnetic materials, and interference of neutron beams is used to examine surfaces. Scattered neutrons yield estimations of location and size of minute biological structures. Synchrotron X-rays are required for detailed study of biological molecules.