X rays & magnetic media

[Roy Parker <RoyAParker@compuserve.com>]

The  most   likely  sources   of  magnetic   media  degradation  in  the
international transport  environment are  the EMF  and magnetic  fields,
particularly those  associated with x-ray units, and possibly some large
motors that  may be  going off  and on.  Not the ionizing radiation, but
the EMF  and magnetic fields generated by the frequent on and off of the
large electrical  currents associated with the short times that an x-ray
is on.   Electrical field components are relatively easily shielded, but
the magnetic  field components  are not.  Mu-metal would be a relatively
effective, but  costly shield;  recall that  you shield  photomultiplier
tubes with mu-metal shields.


Roy A. Parker, Ph.D.
Tel: 225-924-1473
Fax: 225-924-4269
************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html