title: Microdosimetric investigations on collimated fast-neutron beams for radiation therapy: I. Measurements of microdosimetric spectra and particle dose fractions in a water phantom for fast neutrons from 14 MeV deuterons on beryllium.
abstract: Lineal energy spectra of fast neutrons, produced by bombarding a thick beryllium target with 14 MeV deuterons, were measured with a proportional counter simulating a sensitive diamter of 2 micrometers. The mean neutron energy of the collimated beam was 6 MeV. The total lineal energy spectra, measured at different positions within a water phantom were separated into three different components: the gamma component, the recoil-proton component, and the component of heavier recoil ions. It is shown mathematically that the components of a linear energy spectrum thus derived allow the calculation of their fractional dose contributions. These dose fractions i.e. the gamma dose, the recoil-proton dose, and the dose fraction of heavier recoil ions, are shown as a function of the spatial position in the phantom.
mesh_terms: D001608:Beryllium; D003903:Deuterium; D004735:Energy Transfer; D005214:Fast Neutrons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005720:Gamma Rays; D008954:Models, Biological; D008961:Models, Structural; D009502:Neutrons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011522:Protons; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage
chemical_list: D011522:Protons; D003903:Deuterium; D001608:Beryllium