Radiation Protection Glossary

A radiation protection glossary for Radiation Protection Supervisors (RPS) and anyone interesting in radiation safety terminology. The glossary is a mixture of health physics terms, and phrases related to radiation legislation, transport, practical safety and similar.

Search the Glossary by either clicking on a letter or typing a Keyword into the search box.

X-ray Fluorescence (XRF)

Published: Oct 15, 2018

If an Element is irradiated by X-Rays it is possible to transfer their energy to the orbital Electron. The electrons move up an 'energy level' in the process. As these energised electrons fall back to their normal state, energy is released in the form of characteristic discrete x-ray Photons which are unique to the element in question. The process is used in analytical techniques where element identification is required.

This revolution, the information revolution, is a revolution of free energy as well, but another kind: free intellectual energy.

– Steve Jobs