Particle track structure measurements from 0.5 to 18 nm in nitrogen using the Jet Counter nanodosemeter

Abstract

Experimental nanodosimetry aims at establishing a new concept of radiation quality that builds on measurable characteristics of the particle track structure at the nanometre scale. This article presents the capabilities and limits of the Jet Counter nanodosemeter for the whole range of experimentally available targets’ sizes. The Jet Counter device can be used for reliable measurements of ionisation cluster-size distributions for target sizes ranging from 1 to 16 nm in nitrogen. Measurements outside this range have also been performed, but their reliability has yet to be proven.