Track structure characterization and its link to radiobiology. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Conte, V.; Selva, A.; Colautti, P.; Hilgers, G.; Rabus, H.
• Is Part Of: Radiation measurements. Volume 106(2017:Nov.)
• Page Start: 506
• Page End: 511
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: Nanodosimetry -- Radiation quality -- Track structure; Nuclear emulsions -- Periodicals; Particle tracks (Nuclear physics) -- Periodicals; Thermoluminescence -- Periodicals; Cosmic rays -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Measurement -- Periodicals; Radiometry -- Periodicals; Radiation Monitoring -- Periodicals; Émulsions nucléaires -- Périodiques; Particules (Physique nucléaire) -- Traces -- Périodiques; Thermoluminescence -- Périodiques; Rayonnement cosmique -- Périodiques; Radiométrie -- Périodiques; 539.77
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2017.06.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-4487

Abstract

Abstract: Within the Italian project MITRA (MI crodosimetry andTRA ck structure), funded by the ItalianI stitutoN azionale diF isicaN ucleare (INFN), and the EMRP Joint Research Project "BioQuaRT" (Bio logically WeightedQua ntities inR adiot herapy), experiments have been carried out at the Tandem–Alpi accelerator facility of Legnaro National Laboratories (LNL), in which the frequency distribution of the number of ionisations produced by proton and carbon ion beams of given energy was measured with the PTB Ion Counter and the LNL StarTrack Counter. Descriptors of the track structure can be derived from these distribution; in particular, the first moment M 1, representing the mean number of ionisations produced in the target volume, and the cumulative probabilities F k of measuring cluster sizes ν ≥ k. Experimental radiobiological data have been compared with nanodosimetric quantities derived from measured ionisation-cluster size distributions. It was found that the cumulative probabilities F k as a function of M 1 behave in the same way as the inactivation cross sections as a function of LET, first increasing with increasing values of M 1 and then showing a saturation effect. A comparison of F k and radiobiological quantities is presented and discussed. Highlights: Track structure measurements at nanometre level performed with two detectors. Cumulative probabilities F k of cluster sizes ν ≥ k derived from measurements. The relation of F k to radiobiology is presented and discussed.