Colloquium: Dr. Sultana Nahar
Department of Astronomy The Ohio State University Columbus, OHResonant Nano-plasma Theranostics: Astrophysics to Cancer Treatment
Study of x-ray emission from astronomical objects enables extensive information from physical conditions to plasma diagnostics and has been an integral part of astronomy. Of particular interest has been for K-alpha x-rays emitted due to 1s-2p transitions, For example, the signature of a black hole has been identified by the hard K-alpha x-ray emissions of helium-like iron. The same physics of K-alpha can be applied for cancer treatment. The high energy X-rays absorbed by the radiosensitizing nanoparticles embedded in a cancerous tumor cause ejection of electrons that destroy the surrounding malignant cells. However, in the current medical applications, use X-rays also incur considerable damage. I will discuss our proposed method "Resonant Nano-Plasma Theramostics" predicts a most effective treatment through X-ray spectroscopy.