Calculations of Energy Dissipation Characteristics in Water for Various Radiations

Abstract

A method is described for calculating, in the case of various ionizing radiations, the amount of energy dissipated locally by particles, versus their kinetic energy range. The "local" energy dissipated along a particle track is defined as consisting of those collisional and excitational energy transfers equal to or less than 100 ev. Tables are given which enable the method to be applied to [gamma] -, X-, [beta]-, and [alpha]-radiations. The method is applied to the absorption of the following radiations in water: 25- Mvp betatron X, Co60 [gamma] 220-kvp primary X, 200 kvp total X, 100 kvp primary X, tritium [beta], polonium [alpha], and 1-Mev [alpha]. Full allowance is made for secondary or [delta] -track formation.