The calculation of proportional counter-energy deposition spectra from experimental data

Abstract

A convolution technique developed by Kellerer which can be used to generate energy deposition spectra from experimental data has been applied to 45 MeV protons. The data presented here were produced by 600 MeV protons passing through a tissue-equivalent gas. The technique is utilized by means of a computer program. It requires an experimental energy deposition spectrum measured with a proportional counter of pathlength s (here s approximately 1*10-4 g cm-2), input. Additional energy deposition spectra can be generated for pathlengths, si, in the range 0.3s<or=si<or=2s, for the same type and energy of incident particle. This technique facilitates experimental work needed to produce microdosimetric patterns of energy deposition for biological sites of arbitrary shape and size.