stralingsmethoden

Stralingsmethoden (radiation methods) refer to techniques that use electromagnetic radiation or particulate radiation to probe, image, measure properties of matter, or to treat biological tissue. They encompass both non-ionizing and ionizing radiation and may involve detecting natural emission or actively inducing interaction with the material under study.

The field can be divided into several broad categories. Electromagnetic radiation methods include spectroscopy (absorption, emission, fluorescence, Raman), ellipsometry and interferometry, and optical imaging techniques. Thermal and infrared methods such as infrared thermography map temperature distributions based on emitted infrared radiation. Ionizing radiation methods cover X-ray and gamma radiography, computed tomography (CT), scintigraphy and other gamma-ray techniques used for imaging and analysis. Particle-based methods include neutron scattering, electron microscopy and, in some contexts, proton radiography, all relying on interactions between fast-moving particles and matter.

Applications are wide-ranging. In science and engineering, stralingsmethoden are used to determine composition, structure, temperature distributions, and stress in materials, as well as to visualize internal features non-destructively. In medicine, they underpin diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, and certain surgical guidance techniques. In industry and security, they support non-destructive testing, quality control, inspection, and scanning for safety. In cultural heritage and environmental monitoring, these methods help analyze materials and preserve artifacts without damage.

Key principles include how radiation interacts with matter—through absorption, scattering, emission, and transmission—and how detectors convert these interactions into usable signals. Instrumentation ranges from spectrometers and cameras to scintillators, photodetectors, and advanced imaging systems. Safety, dose management, and regulatory frameworks are essential considerations, given the potential hazards of ionizing radiation. The field traces its roots to early discoveries in X-rays and radioactivity and has since evolved into a diverse set of imaging, analysis, and therapeutic techniques.