Definitions | Research, Scholarship, Innovation, and Creativity

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Radioactive- A term that refers to an atom that releases energy as radiation.

Radioactive Materials- A term that refers to a radioactive substance composed of radioactive atoms that release energy as radiation. Radioactive materials can be in a liquid, solid, or gaseous phase. Examples include tritium, phosporus-32, Sulfur-35, etc.

Radiation-Generating Devices- A term that refers to a device that produces radiation when the power source is turned on. Examples include X-ray machines, X-ray Diffractors, Particle Accelerators, etc.

Healing Arts- The professional disciplines authorized by the laws of Mississippi to use sources of radiation in the diagnosis or treatment of human or animal diseases.

LASER- Acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A laser is a device that stimulates atoms or molecules to emit light at particular wavelengths and amplifies that light, typically producing a narrow beam of radiation. Radiation emitted by a laser beam is non-ionizing radiation (radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum with energies too low to free an electron and result in ionization).

Class 3B LASER- lasers or laser systems that emit between 5 and 500 milliwatts (mW) and can cause injury if someone views the beam directly. Class 3B lasers can produce eye injury before the aversion response takes over. Examples include microscopy and laser engravers.

Class 4 LASER-lasers or laser systems that emit powers greater than 500 milliwatts (mW) and can cause injury if someone views the beam directly or views a reflection of the laser beam. Class 4 lasers present a hazard for eye and skin injury, can produce laser-generated air contaminants, and can cause fires from interactions of the beam with flammable materials. Examples include laser cutters, laser engravers, etc.