Laser X-Rays May Become a Reality

X-Rays have been in use as a medical imaging technique since approximately 1895 when Wilhelm Roentgen concluded that he was able to make pictures of body structures like tissues and bones by putting electromagnetic waves through the body. He named the phenomenon "X" because he did not fully understand what made up the "rays". From that time forward, X-Rays have been the building block upon which medical imaging technology and equipment for medical imaging have been built.

Even though the X-Ray (or radiograph) has long been a crutial medical imaging tool, this approach has had the down side that the pictures made are not exact, which makes it so it requires extremely careful examination and interpretation. Scientists have been researching for years in an attempt to find a way to make the radiographic images better.

Recent discoveries in the development of laser X-Ray's have led to advancements that have the ability to change the quality of radiographic images. The light created by a laser would be very bright, so bright it could make distinct and strong contrasts on radiographic images. Furthermore, grouping the candle power of a laser beam with X-Rays might produce better pictures by a multiple of around 1,000. Medical imaging at this level of resolution could provide the technology to detect cancers and other abnormalities that cannot now be detected with current X-Ray technology.

Until the last few years, the power source needed to create the perfect strength laser beam for this application was so enormous that it was unrealistic to even try. However, researchers at the University of Colorado in Boulder have developed a way to make strong laser beams from a "table top" size source of power. This makes laser X-Ray technology a reachable reality.

The research team used a laser beam to send out atoms from argon. Argon is a stable chemical element. The emission of X-Rays was too weak to be useful. The research group then threw the atoms back into the argon, causing a larger, more smooth stream of X-Rays of sufficient size to be useful to be emitted. This "boomerang" technique is being handled to make a highly regular, very strong source of X-Rays, grouped with laser beams.

The technique is not yet prepared for application in the medical field. More examining is necessary to extend the technique into the hard X-Ray area of the electromagnetic spectrum. When the task at hand has been overcome, the commercial laser X-Ray will follow.

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Author Jesse Fisher enjoys writing articles for his clients which includes Transamerican Medical, a business that resells Philips Medical equipment and parts. See also Imaging Centers online directory.