I think any normal film can be used for x-ray detection. Just cut off a
piece of film and put it in a light proof envelope (black). Even a small
envelope is fine. Attach to your shirt. For a good standard, take a
second piece from the same film stock and put inside a lead envelope. Then
process normally and use a densitometer to read the variation in density.
For this purpose a home made densitometer can be made using a cds cell and
a digital voltmeter. Put the film over the cds cell under a known light
and compare the two films. If the density is not the same, you have been
zapped.
Try it sometime when going through an airport security system.
73, Colin K7FM
> [Original Message]
> From: Dr. David Kirkby <davek@medphys.ucl.ac.uk>
> To: amps@contesting.com <amps@contesting.com>
To: <amps@contesting.com>
> Date: 9/30/02 4:36:46 AM
> Subject: Re: [Amps] X-ray dangers from amplifiers?
>
> Alan Ibbetson wrote:
> >
> > At what anode voltage do valves begin to radiate dangerous X-rays? My
> > schoolboy physics (Plank's constant, etc) suggests frighteningly modest
> > voltages: around 2 Angstroms at only 5KV if there are suitable energy
levels
> > in the atoms of the anode material.
> >
> > I would guess that the self-shielding geometry of external anode valves
> > reduces the problem, but the ceramic seals are still going to be
transparent
> > to X-rays.
>
> I just spoke to a professor in my department (medical physics), whose
> speciality is x-rays. He says below 10 kV, he would have no concerns,
> even when I said the anode current would be several amps. 25 kV would
> certainly be risky - apparently 25 kV is used for x-rays used for
> mammograms.
>
> Apparently, when running x-ray tubes at about 7-8 kV (he could not
> recall the exact figure), with a tungsten anode, x-ray production will
> definitely occur, as the chemistry of tungsten will show. However, this
> is very difficult to detect outside the tube, as despite the fact they
> will certainly be produced, the ceramic stops them. He feels the same
> would happen with glass.
>
> For people working in x-ray labs, like him, they all wear what is known
> as a 'film badge' all the time. These are basically photograpic file,
> which is developed periodically (weekly I think) and excessive x-ray
> exposure will then show up as fogging of the film. The only problem in
> using such a film badge very close to the tube would be the heat from
> the tube. There is no doubt running a photographic film near a tube
> would fog it, but an amateur could wear one to see if he is being
> exposed. I don't know exactly what the film is, but I'm sure a search of
> the web would find the answer, or I could ask my colleague again.
>
> One colleague I know left her film badge in bag which was x-rayed by
> customs. When developed, this showed a severe overdose!!
>
> Perhaps when I get my YC156 amp up and running, I'll take a 'film badge'
> home then get it developed, but my colleague feels below 10 kV would not
> be an issue.
>
> Dr. David Kirkby,
> Senior Research Fellow,
> Department of Medical Physics,
> University College London,
> 11-20 Capper St, London, WC1E 6JA.
> Tel: 020 7679 6408 Fax: 020 7679 6269
> Internal telephone: ext 46408
> e-mail davek@medphys.ucl.ac.uk
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--- COLIN LAMB
- k7fm@teleport.com
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