Röntgenfelder

Röntgenfelder, also known as X-ray fields or radiation fields, refer to regions in space where X-ray radiation is present. Named after Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, the discoverer of X-rays in 1895, these fields are characterized by high-energy electromagnetic waves that can penetrate various materials, including human tissue. X-rays occupy a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum between ultraviolet light and gamma rays, with wavelengths ranging from approximately 0.01 to 10 nanometers and frequencies from 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz.

Röntgenfelder are generated through various processes, including the deceleration of high-speed electrons (bremsstrahlung), transitions of electrons between energy levels in atoms (characteristic X-rays), and nuclear transitions. In medical and industrial applications, X-rays are produced using X-ray tubes, where a high-voltage electric field accelerates electrons toward a metal target, generating the radiation. These fields are widely used in imaging techniques such as radiography, computed tomography (CT), and fluoroscopy due to their ability to create detailed images of internal structures.

The interaction of Röntgenfelder with matter depends on the energy of the X-rays and the density of the material. Lower-energy X-rays are absorbed more readily by less dense materials, such as soft tissue, while higher-energy X-rays penetrate denser materials like bone. This differential absorption forms the basis of X-ray imaging, where contrast between different tissues is visualized. However, excessive exposure to Röntgenfelder can cause biological damage, including DNA mutations and cellular harm, leading to health risks such as cancer. As a result, safety measures, including shielding and dose limits, are strictly regulated in environments where X-ray exposure occurs.