| X-Rays have been in use as a medical imaging | | | | detect right now with our technology. |
| technique since 1895 when Wilhelm Roentgen | | | | Until recently, the power source needed to |
| found that he was able to create images of | | | | generate the appropriate strength laser beam for |
| internal bodily structures such as bones and | | | | this invention was so enormous that it was |
| tissues by passing electromagnetic waves through | | | | impractical to even try. Nevertheless, due to new |
| the body. He labeled the phenomenon "X" because | | | | technology, researchers at the University of |
| he did not fully understand what made up the | | | | Colorado in Boulder have developed a way to |
| "rays". From that time forward, X-Rays have | | | | generate powerful laser beams from a reasonably |
| been the building block upon which medical imaging | | | | sized source of power. This makes laser X-Ray |
| technology and medical imaging equipment have | | | | technology a practical goal. |
| been built. | | | | The research team used a laser beam to set |
| Even though the X-Ray (or radiograph) has been | | | | forth atoms from argon, a highly stable chemical |
| a crutial tool for medical imaging, this approach has | | | | element. The resulting eruption of X-Rays was |
| always had the down side that the images | | | | not strong enough to be of use. The research |
| produced are indistinct. The images require very | | | | group then threw the atoms back into the argon, |
| careful study and interpretation. Scientists have | | | | causing a larger, more smooth stream of X-Rays |
| long searched for a way to enhance the quality of | | | | of big enough size to be useful to be emitted. |
| radiographic images. | | | | This "boomerang" method is now being |
| Recent discoveries in the growth of laser X-Ray's | | | | manipulated to make a highly regular, very |
| have led to advancements that have the ability to | | | | powerful source of X-Rays, grouped with laser |
| fully change the quality of radiographic images. | | | | beams. |
| The light distributed by a laser would be bright | | | | The method isn't prepared for use in the medical |
| enough to create strong, distinct contrasts on | | | | field. More studying is needed to expand the |
| radiographic images. Also, grouping the candle | | | | method into the hard X-Ray region of the |
| power of a laser beam with X-Rays might | | | | electromagnetic spectrum. When the task at hand |
| produce better pictures by a factor of around | | | | has been overcome, the commercial laser X-Ray |
| 1,000. Medical imaging that could make the picture | | | | will come next. |
| that much better might give us the resources to | | | | NOTE: Use of this article requires links to be intact. |
| find abnormalities and cancers that you can not | | | | |