Abstract
A generalisation of the kerma concept for uncharged particles, extending it to all ionising radiations, is proposed. In accordance with the new concept, the kerma factor of ionising particles, k, is considered as a sum of the nuclear, k n , and electromagnetic, k e , components, where k e for charged particles is equal to L∞/p. The values of the nuclear component of kerma factor, k n , for neutrons and protons with energies 20-1000 MeV have been calculated for 25 elements from hydrogen to lead as well as for the ICRU muscle tissue. The cascade-exciton model of nuclear interactions was used in the calculations. The presented results of test calculations of the secondary charged particle spectra from reactions of nucleons with different nuclei demonstrate good agreement with experiment. The calculated data also agree well with the experimental values of high energy neutron kerma in light nuclei. The results obtained will remedy a shortage of information on high energy nucleon kerma and will find an application in different fields of radiation protection.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
