Gamma-Ray Imaging

                   
                   Gamma-Ray Imaging

Gamma Ray -  It is a parcel of electromagnetic energy emitted in the decay of certain subatomic particles and in the disintegration of radioactive atomic nuclei .

Characteristics  -

• Gamma rays are high-energy photons 
• Gamma rays have high power of penetration
• Gamma rays travel at the speed of light
• Gamma photons have no mass 
• Gamma photons have no electrical charge

Imaging with Gamma Rays-

1.  In Medical Field

• PET (Positron Emission Tomography)
• SPECT (Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography)

2.  In Astronomical Observations

          Gamma rays are emitted in universe by supernova explosions, regions around black holes, neutron stars etc.

Source of Gamma Rays

Gamma rays can be observed using telescopes such as Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope. 

                           
              
                                  GLAST
   (Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope) 

                                   

                      
                  All-sky map created by GLAST

Steps of Imaging in Medical Field-

• Patient is administered with a radioactive isotope.
• The radioactive isotope emits gamma rays as it decays.
• Emissions are collected by Gamma Ray Detectors.
• Detectors produce images .

It is used for Tumor Imaging, Infection Imaging, Bones Imaging,Thyroid Imaging,Cardiac unctionality,Brain imaging and in Diagnosis of Alzheimer.