The X- or Gamma-Ray Energy Absorption or Transfer Coefficient: Tabulations and Discussion

Abstract

The quantity known as the X- or gamma-ray energy absorption coefficient is defined in various ways and has also been given a variety of other names. The present paper attempts to clarify this confusing situation by presenting a careful definition and suggesting a new name, "energy transfer coefficient", which is more descriptive of the definition. The significance of the energy transfer coefficient for the calculation of absorbed dose is discussed, and a tabulation is given of energy transfer coefficients for various materials for photon energies between 3 kev and 10 Mev. Auxiliary data are given of the parameters (such as cross sections and conversion factors) which enter into the calculation of the energy transfer coefficient to enable the reader to construct energy transfer coefficients with correction terms appropriate to a particular application.