ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the interactions of ionizing radiation with materials, including the basic equations used to quantify the variation of radiation intensity in materials, and how these equations can be developed from an understanding of the basic interactions of radiation with atoms in the material. In addition to the use of radiation for bulk interrogation of materials, a summary of the use of radiation for surface characterization is given, particularly for determination of surface chemistry. Finally, the chapter includes a discussion of concepts of exposure dose and dose rate, and how these are measured and expressed in quantitative terms.
