X-ray
X-rays (or Röntgen radiation) (TV: Smith and Jones [+]Loading...["Smith and Jones (TV story)"]) were a type of electromagnetic radiation. They were used in medical examinations because they penetrated soft tissue, allowing a non-invasive exam of the internal anatomy; they could also be used to examine the interiors of sealed objects using the same method. High levels of X-ray radiation could be harmful to many forms of life. When focused into a coherent beam or laser, X-rays could be used as an offensive weapon.
Instances of medical X-ray use[[edit] | [edit source]]
In the 1970s, X-rays were used on the Third Doctor at Ashbridge Cottage Hospital. They revealed his binary vascular system and astounded Dr Henderson. (TV: Spearhead from Space [+]Loading...["Spearhead from Space (TV story)"])
On 31 December 1999, Dr Grace Holloway was similarly astounded at the Seventh Doctor's X-ray results. (TV: Doctor Who [+]Loading...["Doctor Who (TV story)"])
On Wengrol, Yend biologists saw on their X-ray screens that the First Doctor (whom they had mistaken for a shapeshifter) didn't change shape, giving them hope that they might have found a cure for their mutation. (PROSE: The Sons of the Crab [+]Loading...["The Sons of the Crab (short story)"])
Instances of X-rays as non-medical imaging[[edit] | [edit source]]
The Mantis leader, in his attempts to learn the nature of the Doctor's TARDIS, had it subjected to X-rays, to find it was dimensionally transcendental and that the Third Doctor was inside it. (COMIC: Size Control [+]Loading...["Size Control (comic story)"])
The army used X-ray detection to find the location of hidden rooms in the Unity City casino in 2065. (COMIC: Army In House To House Search [+]Loading...["Army In House To House Search (comic story)"], Assassins Escape! [+]Loading...["Assassins Escape! (comic story)"])
Dr Carter took X-rays of Eldrad's fossilised hand which, unlike normal fossils, didn't show any tissue differentiation (since it belonged to a silicon-based life form). (TV: The Hand of Fear [+]Loading...["The Hand of Fear (TV story)"])
Dr. Fendelman administered x-rays to the humanoid skull nicknamed Eustace and found a pentagram in it. (TV: Image of the Fendahl [+]Loading...["Image of the Fendahl (TV story)"])
Instances of harmful X-ray use[[edit] | [edit source]]
The Third Doctor cured Liz Shaw and Captain Harvey of their possession by a sentient virus by using an X-ray machine on them. (PROSE: Invaders Invisible [+]Loading...["Invaders Invisible (short story)"])
In 2003, the Seventh Doctor used a singularity which generated X-ray pulses to sterilise Agent Yellow, saving humanity at the cost of killing millions. (PROSE: Eternity Weeps [+]Loading...["Eternity Weeps (novel)"])
In 2008, the Tenth Doctor destroyed one of Florence Finnegan's Slabs by using his sonic screwdriver to increase the radiation of Royal Hope Hospital's X-ray machine by 5000%. (TV: Smith and Jones [+]Loading...["Smith and Jones (TV story)"])
X-ray-based weapons[[edit] | [edit source]]
In the 21st century, Space Station W3 was armed with an X-ray laser. (TV: The Wheel in Space [+]Loading...["The Wheel in Space (TV story)"])
On the Moon's surface in 2070, the Cybermen employed a cannon-sized X-ray laser. (TV: The Moonbase [+]Loading...["The Moonbase (TV story)"])
The Cyber-gun found on Telos by the Parry expedition was a hand-held X-ray laser. (TV: The Tomb of the Cybermen [+]Loading...["The Tomb of the Cybermen (TV story)"])
Natural occurrence[[edit] | [edit source]]
Vega was known for its x-ray storms, which the Captain used as a curse: "By all the x-ray storms of Vega!" (TV: The Pirate Planet [+]Loading...["The Pirate Planet (TV story)"])
Other uses[[edit] | [edit source]]
In 1980, scientist John Bentley performed experiments with a small "X-ray machine". After he became distracted in the course of his work, he accidentally changed its settings and discovered a method of time travel, which he later exploited to build a human-sized time machine. (COMIC: Dr. Who's Time Tales 32 [+]Loading...["Dr. Who's Time Tales (DWM 32 comic story)","''Dr. Who's Time Tales'' 32"])
