Calculated LET Distributions of Fast Neutrons

Abstract

Distributions of stopping power (LET.) were calculated for 4 beams of fast neutrons: neutrons of 14.6 MeV [million electron volts], neutrons produced by bombarding a thick Be target with 15-MeV deuterons, neutrons of 3 MeV, and fast neutrons produced by bombard-merit of a 235u converter plate with thermal neutrons. The track average LET [Linear energy transfer] is correlated with mean neutron energy, but the dose average is approximately constant. Neither average is expected to be a satisfactory description of the effects of these neutron beams on mammalian cells.