87993 - Health Physics

Academic Year 2022/2023

  • Moduli: Maria Pia Morigi (Modulo 1) Paolo Ferrari (Modulo 2)
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Physics (cod. 9245)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will acquire the basic knowledge on the most important and interesting topics in the field of Health Physics. In particular the student will be able to: - understand the different types of interactions of ionizing radiations with matter and their biological effects; - understand the problems related to the radioprotection of workers and population; - distinguish among the most important kinds of radiation detectors; - use an acquisition chain for alpha or gamma spectrometry.

Course contents

The course is divided into two learning modules.

 

Contents of Module 1 (5 CFU):

- Ionizing radiation: interactions of high-energy photons with matter: photoelectric effect, Rayleigh scattering, Compton scattering, pair production, photonuclear interactions. Interactions of charged particles with matter. Bethe-Bloch formula. Bragg peak and particle range. Interactions of neutrons with matter. LET (Linear Energy Transfer).

- Biological effects of ionizing radiation: mechanisms of radiation damage: direct and indirect action of ionizing radiation. The free radicals. Effects of radiation on cells: DNA damage and survival curves for viruses, bacteria and mammalian cells. Radiosensitivity of the cell in relation to the cell cycle phase. Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE). Effects of radiation on humans: deterministic and stochastic damage. Epidemiological studies.

- Dosimetry of ionizing radiation: main dosimetric quantities: exposure, absorbed dose, equivalent dose and effective dose. Weight factors for different types of ionizing radiation and for the different tissues of the human body.

- Basics of radiation protection: principles of radiation protection. Concept of risk index. Classification of work areas and occupationally exposed workers. Dose limits.

- Radiation detectors: gas detectors, scintillation detectors and solide state detectors. TLD dosimeters. Electronics for signal acquisition and processing. 

- Introduction to gamma spectrometry: Calibration of a Multi-Channel Analyzer. Gamma ray sources. Gamma spectra analysis. Energy resolution of a gamma-ray spectrometer. Lab activity with an acquisition chain for gamma spectrometry.

- Introduction to X-ray imaging techniques: X-ray tubes and detectors for digital radiography. Characteristic parameters of an X-ray imaging detector. Digital radiographic image processing. Lab activity with an acquisition system for digital radiography and X-ray Computed Tomography.

 

Contents of Module 2 (1 CFU):

Numerical dosimetry: the Boltzmann equation for the radiation transport; the simulations of the radiation interactions with matter through Monte Carlo methods; numerical simulation application in radiation dosimetry and radiation protection.

- Radiation fields: some examples of radiation fields; practical aspects of radiation protection and dosimetry with radiation shielding examples.

 

Readings/Bibliography

  • J.T. Bushberg, J.A. Seibert, E-M. Leidholdt, J.M. Boone: "The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging", Wolters Kluwer-Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2012.
  • H.E. Martz, C.M. Logan, D.J. Schneberk, P.J. Shull: "X-ray imaging: Fundamentals, Industrial Techniques and Applications", CRC Press, 2017.
  • C.A. Kelsey, P.H. Heintz, G.D. Chambers, D. J. Sandoval, N.L. Adolphi, K.S. Paffett: “Radiation Biology of Medical Imaging”, John Wiley & Sons, 2014. 
  • J.E. Coggle: “Biological effects of radiation”, Taylor & Francio Ltd, London.
  • H.E. Johns and J.R. Cunningham: “The Physics of Radiology”, Charles C. Thomas Publisher.
  • G.F. Knoll: "Radiation detection and measurement", John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  • R.F. Laitano: "Fondamenti di dosimetria delle radiazioni ionizzanti", ENEA.
   

The teaching material will be available after each lecture on the online learning platform of Bologna University: https://virtuale.unibo.it

 

Further readings:

  • R. L. Morin: “Monte Carlo Simulation in the Radiological Science”, CRC-Press.

Teaching methods

Classroom lectures, followed by practical activities (alpha and gamma spectra analysis and processing of digital radiographic images).

After each practical activity the students are required to write a written report that can be prepared either individually or in group and whose evaluation will contribute to the final grade.

Practical activities also have the purpose of making the students acquire processing and synthesis skills, as well as teamwork skills (in case it is allowed by the health situation linked to COVID 19).

(The attendance of laboratory activities requires students to carry out modules 1 and 2 on safety in e-learning mode and to participate in module 3 for specific training on safety and health in the study areas. Information on dates and methods of attendance of module 3 can be consulted in the specific section of the degree program website).

Assessment methods

The final exam aims to assess the achievement of the main learning objectives of the course:

■ understand the mechanisms of ionizing radiation-matter interaction and the resulting biological effects in living organisms;
■ understand the issues related to radiological protection of workers and population in activities involving the use of ionizing radiation;
■ know the main types of radiation detectors;
■ understand the functioning of an acquisition chain for alpha or gamma spectrometry and of a system for X-ray imaging.

The final exam consists of an oral interview on the topics covered in classroom lessons for both learning modules and on practical  activities,  which aims to assess the degree of learning of the contents, the critical and methodological skills and the use of a specific language. The acquiring of an organic view of the topics discussed in class, along with their critical consideration, the ability to expose the concepts with mastery of the subject and adequate language will be recognized with very good or excellent grades. A mostly mnemonic knowledge of the subjects and a limited ability of synthesis and analysis will lead to grades from discreet to sufficient. Important knowledge gaps and inappropriate language will result in a negative evaluation.

Teaching tools

Video-projector and PC.

Dedicated student laboratory for gamma spectrometry.

Laboratory for X-ray imaging.

The teaching material will be available on the online learning platform of Bologna University: https://virtuale.unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Maria Pia Morigi

See the website of Paolo Ferrari