Experimentally determined tissue air ratios and scatter air ratios for collimated beams of 14 mev neutrons. 1975

J L Beach, and C A Kelsey

Tissue air ratios (TAR) and scatter air ratios (SAR) for collimated beams of 14 MeV neutrons were determined from depth dose curves measured in air and water using a tissue equivalent proportional counter. Central axis depth dose data were obtained as a function of field size and depth in a water phantom for an SSD or 125 cm. The collimator was composed of steel and polyethylene and was continuously variable from a 3 times 3 cm to a 20 times 20 cm field size at 125 cm SSD. The field scans for this collimator were flat within plus or minus 2 per cent over 80 per cent of the field dimension in air and were reduced to 20 per cent of the central axis dose at 1-2 field radii in air. Relative depth dose data in air and phantom were measured with an accuracy of plus or minus 2 per cent and were used for the TAR and SAR calculations. The resulting scatter air ratios for 14 MeV neutrons have roughly the same characteristics as 60-Co SAR, but are 60 per cent larger at maximum build-up and reach that maximum at about 60 per cent of the peak depth for 60-Co for all field sizes. The effects of collimator throat scatter on the central axis depth dose characteristics of this particular collimator design are discussed in detail using the measured tissue and scatter air ratios.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008954 Models, Biological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D009502 Neutrons Electrically neutral elementary particles found in all atomic nuclei except light hydrogen; the mass is equal to that of the proton and electron combined and they are unstable when isolated from the nucleus, undergoing beta decay. Slow, thermal, epithermal, and fast neutrons refer to the energy levels with which the neutrons are ejected from heavier nuclei during their decay. Neutron
D011095 Polyethylenes Synthetic thermoplastics that are tough, flexible, inert, and resistant to chemicals and electrical current. They are often used as biocompatible materials for prostheses and implants. Ethylene Polymers,Ethene Homopolymers,Homopolymers, Ethene,Polymers, Ethylene
D011879 Radiotherapy Dosage The total amount of radiation absorbed by tissues as a result of radiotherapy. Dosage, Radiotherapy,Dosages, Radiotherapy,Radiotherapy Dosages
D011882 Radiotherapy, High-Energy Radiotherapy using high-energy (megavolt or higher) ionizing radiation. Types of radiation include gamma rays, produced by a radioisotope within a teletherapy unit; x-rays, electrons, protons, alpha particles (helium ions) and heavy charged ions, produced by particle acceleration; and neutrons and pi-mesons (pions), produced as secondary particles following bombardment of a target with a primary particle. Megavolt Radiotherapy,High-Energy Radiotherapy,Radiotherapy, Megavolt,High Energy Radiotherapy,Radiotherapy, High Energy
D003037 Cobalt Radioisotopes Unstable isotopes of cobalt that decay or disintegrate emitting radiation. Co atoms with atomic weights of 54-64, except 59, are radioactive cobalt isotopes. Radioisotopes, Cobalt
D005214 Fast Neutrons Neutrons, the energy of which exceeds some arbitrary level, usually around one million electron volts. Fast Neutron,Neutron, Fast,Neutrons, Fast
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000042 Absorption The physical or physiological processes by which substances, tissue, cells, etc. take up or take in other substances or energy.
D000388 Air The mixture of gases present in the earth's atmosphere consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases.

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