Prospects of Development of Radiation Technologies in Russia

The present review article describes the role of radiation technologies in various realms of human activities, including fundamental science, industry, agriculture, and medicine. The development of radiation technologies in the world and in Russia is compared. The total number of ionizing-radiation sources in the world is approximately 11 million units, most of them being radioactive sources (about six to seven million units) and x-ray facilities (about four million units). The number of high-technology facilities (such as accelerators and tomography units of various types) that employ ionizing radiation does not exceed 200 thousand units. In Russia, there are more than 153 thousand units of such instruments and facilities. They include about 64700 units employing x-ray radiation; about 79700 radioisotope devices and setups, reactors, and radioactive-waste storage facilities; and 471 accelerators. The most promising lines of development of radiation technologies in Russia are analyzed from the strategic and economic points of view.