Fundamental Physics for Probing and Imaging - Hardcover

Allison, Wade

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0199203881 ISBN 13: 9780199203888

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2006

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author

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 grew the particular course that he currently lectures concerned with Medical and Environmental Physics. A growing interest in this course and an absence of suitable texts encouraged him to write this book.

Review

'Of high quality in terms of its level of discussion and the care and sequencing with which new concepts are introduced. There is a need for such a book.' * David Saxon, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Glasgow * "Medical imaging works with relatively poor images of complex objects that show subtle distinctions between normal and diseased, yet systems are required to work correctly almost every time. The only way that this can possibly be achieved is for systems to incorporate models: of physiology, and of image formation. For years, I have wanted my students to have available a concise yet readable and authoritative introduction to the basic physics of image formation. Wade Allison's book admirably addresses that need. * Sir Michael Brady, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, * The author isn't afraid of equations and gives good account of those necessary to understand this growing imaging technology. We see cat scans and the like on Medical TV shows, but this is the kind of book Doctors need to get some understanding of the technology. I have in the past condemned other books for not being willing to put their equations where their mouth is: not here. We really need more books like this one and fewer dumbing down texts that insult the reader. Amazon 5 Star Review 2007, R. Bagula, USA 'This is a very good text for the prospective reader with a decent price tag. It would be useful for undergraduates in physics and related disciplines and those interested in medical imaging and therapy. Physical Sciences Educational Reviews, December 2007 All of us (whether students or professionals, academics or clinicians) need to engage with the fundamentals of our subject and medical physicists can do so with this book. For most of us, the going will be tough but the effort worthwhile. Scope, December 2007.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0199203881
• ISBN 13: 9780199203888
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 348