Fundamental Physics for Probing and Imaging [Paperback]

This book addresses the question 'What is physics for?' Physics has provided many answers for mankind by extending his ability to see. Modern technology has enabled the power of physics to see into objects to be used in archaeology, medicine including therapy, geophysics, forensics and other spheres important to the good of society. The book looks at the fundamental physics of the various methods and how they are used by technology. These methods are magnetic resonance, ionising radiation and sound. By taking a broad view over the whole field it encourages comparisons, but also addresses questions of risk and benefit to society from a fundamental viewpoint. This textbook has developed from a course given to third year students at Oxford and is written so that it can be used coherently as a basis for shortened courses by omitting a number of chapters.

1. Physics for mankind
2. Magnetism and magnetic resonance
3. Interactions of ionising radiation
4. Mechanical waves and properties of matter
5. Information and data analysis
6. Analysis and damage by irradiation
7. Imaging with magnetic resonance
8. Medical imaging and therapy with ionising radiation
9. Ultrasound for imaging and therapy
10. Further ideas
appendices: Conventions, nomenclature and units

Professor Wade Allison
Physics Department and Keble College
University of Oxford
Oxford
OX1 3PG
Wade Allison is a Professor of Physics at the University of Oxford and a Tutorial Fellow of Keble College. His own field is Particle Physics to which he has made significant contributions to experiments on Quarks and Neutrinos and to the theory and application of the energy loss of relativistic charged particles in matter to the design and construction of particle detectors. He has lectured extensively on Electromagnetism and on Nuclear Structure Physics. A few years ago with Louis Lyons he initiated a course entitled ``Applications of Nuclear Physics'' from which grl$