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Geometric Unsharpness Formula

The document discusses calculating geometric unsharpness in X-ray inspections. Geometric unsharpness is affected by the X-ray tube focal spot size and the source-to-specimen and specimen-to-detector distances. It can be calculated using an equation that relates these factors, with larger distances between the source and specimen and specimen to detector resulting in lower unsharpness. The document also provides an example calculation of geometric unsharpness using given values for focal spot size and source-to-specimen and specimen-to-detector distances.

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Yuzi Vengam
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2K views2 pages

Geometric Unsharpness Formula

The document discusses calculating geometric unsharpness in X-ray inspections. Geometric unsharpness is affected by the X-ray tube focal spot size and the source-to-specimen and specimen-to-detector distances. It can be calculated using an equation that relates these factors, with larger distances between the source and specimen and specimen to detector resulting in lower unsharpness. The document also provides an example calculation of geometric unsharpness using given values for focal spot size and source-to-specimen and specimen-to-detector distances.

Uploaded by

Yuzi Vengam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Geometric Unsharpness Calculations

When performing an X-ray inspection, the geometric unsharpness of the inspection setup needs to be
taken into consideration, especially when using geometric magnafication. The size of the X-ray tube
focal-spot and the magnification factors, namely the source-to-specimen and specimen-to-detector
distances, are used to calculate the geometric unsharpness of the inspection setup.   The allowable
amount of unsharpness is controlled by specification being followed. In general, the allowable amount is
1/100 of the material thickness up to a maximum of 1mm (0.040 inch).

Geometric unsharpness or the size of the penumbra (Ug) shown in the image above can be calculated
using the following equation:

               Ug = f * b/a

                Where:  f = X-ray generator focal-spot size.


                             a = distance from x-ray source to front surface of material/object
                             b = distance from the material/object to the detector
When magnafication is not needed, the test specimen is usually placed as close as possible to the
detector and the source is placed some distance from the sample to minimize the penumbra. A greater
distance between the source and the object will reduce geometric unsharpness. However, the intensity
of the source decreases as the distance increases. Therefore, the source should be placed only as far
away as necessary to control the penumbra. If the test object is placed in direct contact with the
detector (like is often done in film radiograph) the following formula can be used that takes into account
the material thickness instead of the object-to-detector distance. This formula is:

                 Ug = f * t/d

                 Where:  f = X-ray generator focal spot size


                                t = the thickness of the material
                               d = distance from x-ray source to front surface of material/object

Example Calculation
Calculate the geometric unsharpness when using an X-ray generator with a 3mm spot size and the test
component is 100 cm from the x-ray tube and 50 cm from the detector.

First convert all lengths to like units.  Then plug the known information into the equation and solving for
Ug.

                 Ug = f * b/a

                 Ug = 0.3cm * 50cm/100cm

                 Ug = 0.15cm

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Partial support for this work was provided by the NSF-ATE (Advanced Technological Education)
program through grant #DUE 0101709. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not
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