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Ionizing Radiation Interaction in Tissues: Kerma and the Absorbed Dose

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Applied Physics of External Radiation Exposure

Part of the book series: Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering ((BIOMEDICAL))

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Abstract

In previous chapter, the basic concepts of dosimetry and all elements for the characterization of a radiation field in a point in space, have been defined. This chapter attempts to detail the physical concepts to estimate the mean energy transferred to secondary particles for indirectly ionizing particles and energy locally imparted for directly ionizing particles. These estimates allow then analytical approaches, under certain conditions, for basic dosimetric quantities that are respectively: kerma and absorbed dose. These two variables and fluence are the primary quantities which are connected to protection and operational and quantities that are defined in the next chapter. The principles and techniques of measurements of these primary dosimetric quantities are discussed in this chapter.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    In 2011, the ICRU 85a [4] adopts the term (dT/ dx)el to set the mass stopping power by Coulomb electron interaction instead of commonly used term (dT/ dx)col for the mass stopping power by collision. However, the notation “col” is maintained to ensure confirmity with the tables of mass stopping power cited therein.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CEA DEN Cadarache, Saint-Paul-lès-Durance, France

    Rodolphe Antoni

  2. CEA DAM Île de France, Arpajon cedex, France

    Laurent Bourgois

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  1. Rodolphe Antoni
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  2. Laurent Bourgois
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Correspondence to Rodolphe Antoni .

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Antoni, R., Bourgois, L. (2017). Ionizing Radiation Interaction in Tissues: Kerma and the Absorbed Dose. In: Applied Physics of External Radiation Exposure. Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48660-4_2

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