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U.S. Department of Energy
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Theory of RBE. Progress report, January 1, 1977--December 1977. [X Radiation, Electrons, Neutrons, Gamma Radiation]

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7083224· OSTI ID:7083224

Emulsion-processing combinations have been found which match the response of mammalian cells to x-rays. The grain size of these emulsions is in the implied range of sensitive element sizes in biological cells. The fading of the latent image may parallel biological repair. In consequence studies are under way of the variation in emulsion response to low LET radiations of different quality, of ''Elkind repair'', and of dose fractionation. Predictions of OER and RBE of mammalian cells to high LET radiations, from track structure theory, have been verified, once again, in Bevalac experiments. Experiment has now shown that high temperature traps in LiF respond favorably to neutrons, while low temperature traps respond favorably to gamma-rays. This result is consistent with our identification of supralinear high temperature traps as from an unidentified 2-hit trap structure. In collaboration with Oak Ridge colleagues, Monte-Carlo studies of the electron slowing down spectra of source electrons from 1 keV to 1 MeV in liquid water are being integrated into the theory of RBE. The yield of several different ions is nearly independent of the initial energy of source electrons. The results raise questions as to the physical basis for biological observations of RBE differences for x- and gamma-rays.

Research Organization:
Nebraska Univ., Lincoln (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-S-02-1671
OSTI ID:
7083224
Report Number(s):
COO-1671-73
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English