Spectrometry of linear energy transfer and its use in high-energy particle beams

Abstract

A new method to determine the spectra of linear energy transfer (LET) based on track-etch detectors has been developed. It is based on chemically etched polyallyldiglycolcarbonate (PADC) track detector. LET spectra are calculated using the track parameters measured with an automatic optical image analyzer. This method has been recently improved; the calibration curves have been upgraded on the basis of evaluating the detectors exposed in heavier high-energy charged particle beams. The LET spectrometer has been used to determine LET spectra and integral dosimetry characteristics along the range of protons, resp. 12C ions with primary energies of 205 MeV, resp. about 480 MeV/amu; and to study the importance of the fragmentation and nuclear reactions in carbon and other heavier ion beams. The results obtained are analyzed and discussed; the possible advantages of this type of equipment are outlined.