Comparative dose distribution profiles in a water-filled tube, jet, and tray treated with 1–5 MeV electrons

Abstract

Accelerated electrons up to 5 MeV energy are relatively low-penetrating, and in the second half of the penetration length, the non-uniformity of energy deposition can increase by 20–50% per 1 mm of material depth. This feature of 1–5 MeV electrons, widely used in technology and research, as well as the high cost of beam power, requires the researcher to have the skills to identify areas of optimal energy deposition and develop measures to reduce energy loss. This work examines the dependence of the average absorbed dose and dose non-uniformity for three modes of electron beam treatment of water, taking into account the beam direction (horizontal or vertical, 1–5 MeV), beam window foil thickness (20–100 μm Al or Ti) and glass wall thickness (0.2–2 mm Pyrex). The dependencies are applicable to clarify, predict and analyze the dose distribution in a liquid irradiated in a tube, jet or tray.