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On the revised concept of linear energy transfer

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Abstract

The quantities linear energy transfer or restricted linear energy transfer are utilized in calculations that link absorbed dose to the fluence distribution of a radiation field. The computations provide approximations to absorbed dose in terms of the intermediate quantity cema or reduced cema. With the definition of the restricted linear energy transfer,L Δ, given in ICRU Report 33, the approximation remains imperfect. This study deals with the resulting need for a modified definition ofL Δ, as proposed in a draft report of ICRU. Essential differences between the old and the new definitions are demonstrated. The changed definition permits a rigorous formulation of the dependence between fluence and absorbed dose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. GSF-Forschungszentrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit, Institut für Strahlenbiologie, Postfach 11 29, D-85758, Oberschleissheim, Germany

    Jing Chen & A. M. Kellerer

  2. Strahlenbiologisches Institut, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Schillerstrasse 42, D-80336, München, Germany

    A. M. Kellerer

  3. 105 Larchdale Ave., 10960, Upper Nyack, NY, USA

    H. H. Rossi

Authors
  1. Jing Chen
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  2. A. M. Kellerer
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  3. H. H. Rossi
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Chen, J., Kellerer, A.M. & Rossi, H.H. On the revised concept of linear energy transfer. Radiat Environ Biophys 34, 29–35 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01210542

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01210542

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