röntgensäteilynä

Röntgensäteilynä, commonly known as X-rays, refers to a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than ultraviolet light but longer than gamma rays. These wavelengths range from 0.01 to 10 nanometers, corresponding to energies between 120 eV and 120 keV. X-rays were discovered in 1895 by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, who observed their ability to penetrate opaque materials.

The production of X-rays typically occurs when high-energy electrons collide with a target material, usually a metal. This collision causes the electrons to decelerate rapidly, emitting X-ray photons. Another mechanism involves the excitation of electrons within atoms, leading to the emission of characteristic X-rays as outer electrons fill the vacancies.

Due to their penetrating power, X-rays have found extensive applications. In medicine, they are crucial for diagnostic imaging, allowing visualization of bones, organs, and foreign objects within the body. Radiotherapy uses X-rays to destroy cancerous cells. Industrially, X-rays are employed in non-destructive testing to detect flaws in materials, in security screening, and in various scientific research fields for analyzing material structures. However, prolonged or excessive exposure to X-rays can be harmful due to their ionizing nature, which can damage biological tissues.