Shorter exposures coupled with lower-intensity radiation have allowed researchers to prepare smaller crystals, avoid damage to samples, and speed up their data runs. Advances in detector sensitivity and focused beam optics have allowed for the development of systems where exposure times have been shortened from hours to seconds. X-rays are perfect for this work because of their ability to resolve small objects. The resulting diffraction pattern establishes the composition of the material. In most applications, the subject molecule is crystallized and then irradiated. X-ray diffraction is also used in biomedical and pharmaceutical research to study complex molecular structures. Scientists using Chandra take advantage of diffraction to reveal important information about distant cosmic sources using the observatory’s two gratings instruments, the High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (HETGS) and the Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (LETGS). X-ray diffraction is the technique where X-ray light changes its direction by amounts that depend on the X-ray energy, much like a prism separates light into its component colors. Smaller hand-held imaging systems can be used in clinics and under field conditions to diagnose sports injuries, to conduct outpatient surgery, and in the care of premature and new-born babies. Image processing systems linked to detectors capable of recording single X-ray photons, like those developed for X-ray astronomy purposes, provide doctors with the required data manipulation and enhancement capabilities. Accurate diagnosis also depends on the ability to view the subject from many different angles. It is important that each dosage be as low as possible. Many diagnostic procedures, such as mammographies and osteoporosis scans, require multiple exposures. The two major developments influenced by X-ray astronomy are the use of sensitive detectors to provide low dose but high-resolution images, and the linkage with digitizing and image processing systems. This area makes extensive use of X-ray technology spinoffs. X-ray technology is now used in a wide variety of applications and settings.
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