Development of mini X-ray equipment and techniques for the application of low energy isotope sources

The design development of a portable low energy x-ray unit about the size of a pocket pen is presented in this paper. Characteristics of a few low energy isotopic x-ray sources that have potential applications in industrial and radiological practice have been briefly outlined. The design features of an iodine-125 source for radiological and radiographic applications have been investigated in detail. Attempts have been made to develop suitable exposure techniques with both conventional imaging systems such as screen and non-screen x-ray films and non-conventional devices such as polaroid films and xero-radiographic plates. Excellent resolutions and contrast characteristics have been obtained for the image with xero-radiographic plates using 125I sources. (auth.)