GAMMA RAYS

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1. Definiton
A gamma ray or gamma radiation
(symbol γ or ), is penetrating electromagnetic
radiation arising from the radioactive decay of
atomic nuclei. It consists of photons in the
highest observed range of photon energy. Paul
Villard, a French chemist and physicist,
discovered gamma radiation in 1900 while
studying radiation emitted by radium. In 1903,
Ernest Rutherford named this radiation gamma rays based on their relatively
strong penetration of matter; he had previously discovered two less
penetrating types of decay radiation, which he named alpha rays and beta
rays in ascending order of penetrating power.
Gamma rays from radioactive decay are in the energy range from a few
keV to ~10 MeV, corresponding to the typical energy levels in nuclei with
reasonably long lifetimes. The energy spectrum of gamma rays can be used
to identify the decaying radionuclides using gamma spectroscop.
Natural sources of gamma rays originating on Earth are mostly as a
result of radioactive decay and secondary radiation from atmospheric
interactions with cosmic ray particles. However there are other rare natural
sources, such as terrestrial gamma-ray flashes that produce gamma rays
from electron action upon the nucleus. Notable artificial sources of gamma
rays include fission, such as occurs in nuclear reactors, as well as high energy
physics experiments, such as neutral pion decay and nuclear fusion.
 Gamma rays and X-rays are both electromagnetic radiation and they
have a considerable overlap in the electromagnetic spectrum; so that over a
range of energies they cannot be differentiated by detection only. To
distinguish them their origin must be known, and in the case of X-rays, the
origin is outside the nucleus due to electron interaction. Terminology varies
between scientific disciplines, and in astrophysics gamma rays are
coBecquerel decided to develop his photographic plates anyway. To his
surprise, the images were strong and clear, proving that the uranium emitted
radiation without an external source of energy such as the sun. Becquerel
had discovered radioactivity.

1. Marie Curie

The term radioactivity was

actually coined by Marie Curie, who
together with her husband Pierre, began
investigating the phenomenon recently
discovered by Becquerel.

Villard was a modest man and he did not suggest a specific name
for the type of radiation he had discovered. In 1903, it was Ernest
Rutherford who proposed to call Villard's rays gamma rays because
they were far more penetrating than the alpha rays and beta rays
which he himself had already differentiated and named (in 1899) on the
basis of their respective penetrating powers. The name stuck.
 2. Mechanism of Making The Wave
Gamma rays rise from inti atom which have instability, because
that atoms have energy that doesn’t match with it’s groundstate.
Gamma’s

Experiment to show there are at least three types of emissions from radioactive
substances.

Left to right - alpha particles, gamma rays and beta particles

The radioactive emissions become separated in a strong electromagnetic field

because alpha particles (+2) and beta particles (-1) have different charges, so go in
opposite directions in electric or magnetic fields. Gamma photons (rays of
electromagnetic radiation) have no charge (0) and go straight on to the detector
(photographic plate, electronic screen, ionisation effect - electronic signal). The beta
particles are deflected more because they have a much smaller mass than alpha
particles (for more details see table below). Beta particles are so easily deflected
that in a magnetic field they might spiral around!

Two simple diagrams (above & below) to show the penetration of alpha
particle radiation, beta particle radiation and gamma radiation (for more
details see table below).
Type of Nature of Other Penetrating Ionising
radiation the radiation nuclear power (and power - the
emitted & Symbols speed), and ability to
formation,
symbol what will remove
structure,
relative mass,
block it electrons
electric (more dense from atoms
charge material, to form
more positive
radiation is ions, the
absorbed
process is
BUT smaller
called
mass or
ionisation
charge of
particle,
more
penetrating)

Very high
ionising
power, the
biggest mass
and charge of
the three
radiation's,
the biggest
'punch' in
ripping off
electrons from
molecules,
other ions are
formed
e– beta minus
particle
radiation

Gamma
radiation

n neutron
radiation

3. Application Of Gamma Rays

1. In The Medicine
a. Gamma rays are used in
medicine to kill and treat certain
types of cancers and tumors. A
series of Gamma rays emitted
directly on cancer cells to be
destroyed. This procedure is
known as Gamma-Knife Surgery.
Radiosurgery is surgery using
radiation,that is, the destruction
of precisely selected areas of tissue using ionizing radiation
rather than excision with a blade. Like other forms of radiation
therapy (also called radiotherapy), it is usually used to treat
cancer. Radiosurgery was originally defined by the Swedish
neurosurgeon Lars Leksell as "a single high dose fraction of
radiation,

When used outside the CNS it may be called stereotactic body

radiation therapy (SBRT) or stereotactic ablative radiotherapy
(SABR).
 Technological improvements in medical imaging and computing
have l

2. In the Industry

Gamma rays emitted from a radioisotope Co-60 or Ir-192 is used

to inspect a material without damaging the material using radiographic
techniques.