Development of a calculation method for estimating specific energy distribution in complex radiation fields

Estimation of the specific energy distribution in a human body exposed to complex radiation fields is of great importance in the planning of long-term space missions and heavy ion cancer therapies. With the aim of developing a tool for this estimation, the specific energy distributions in liquid water around the tracks of several HZE particles with energies up to 100 GeV n(-1) were calculated by performing track structure simulation with the Monte Carlo technique. In the simulation, the targets were assumed to be spherical sites with diameters from 1 nm to 1 microm. An analytical function to reproduce the simulation results was developed in order to predict the distributions of all kinds of heavy ions over a wide energy range. The incorporation of this function into the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System (PHITS) enables us to calculate the specific energy distributions in complex radiation fields in a short computational time.     

Dose dependences of radiation induced yield in mixed radiation fields

A theoretical model that describes dose dependences of trap filling (radiation yield) in mixed radiation fields consisting of two components is proposed. The model consists of one type of electron traps and one type of hole traps and assumes as an initial step the creation of two types of tracks, each represented by some volume with a uniform electron-hole pair density, different for each track. The relaxation process that follows comprises interband recombination, trapping of electrons and holes, and recombination of electrons with trapped holes and of holes with trapped electrons. These processes result in filled traps in amounts depending on the absorbed dose in the track and the number and types of tracks created in a given region of irradiated matter. The summation over the matter with areas of different degrees of overlapping (assuming poisson distribution of the created tracks), gives expressions for the dependences of trap filling as a function of doses for separated and simultaneous irradiation. It is shown that the key parameters determining the behaviour of the dose dependences are the ratios between the doses in the separated tracks and the average doses delivered on the irradiated matter by the separated components of the mixed field. If the ratios of the average dose to the track dose are low, the dose dependences will be linear. In the opposite limiting case the dose dependencies go to saturation. The linear and additive approximations of dose dependences in a mixed field are valid at low doses only.     

Asymptotic characterisation of nearly-sharp notch root stress fields

A solution procedure is developed for characterising the stress state at the root of a notionally sharp notch, but possessing a small root radius, using two nested asymptotic solutions: an outer asymptote representing a sharp semi-infinite V-notch and an inner solution representing a semi-infinite rounded notch. The two asymptotes are matched to each other remote from the notch root, and to an example finite notch using a generalised stress intensity factor. It follows that the characteristic, singular, sharp-notch field diverges from the rounded-notch solution very near the root. On the other hand, the notch in a finite body diverges from the sharp semi-infinite notch in the far field. Providing that the notch root radius is sufficiently small, it follows that there is an intermediate field where the singular field does characterise the behaviour of the finite radiused notch, and this is quantified.Note that this topic has also been investigated in the very recent literature by Gomez and Elices (2004) for brittle components, using the same analytical frame presented here     

Temperature fields in thermal radiation detectors

Results of analysis of thermal processes in a superconducting thermal radiation detector, formulated as a boundary-value problem of complicated heat transfer in a three-dimensional region of complex geometry, are reported. Variants of the problem for simplification are given; the limitations of these assumptions are pointed out.Khar'kov Aviation Institute. Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii zhurnal, Vol. 64, No. 2, pp. 228–232, February, 1993.     

Investigation of radiation fields outside the Sub-critical Assembly in Dubna

The radiation fields outside the planned experimental Sub-critical Assembly in Dubna (SAD) have been studied in order to provide a basis for the design of the concrete shielding that cover the reactor core. The effective doses around the reactor, induced by leakage of neutrons and photons through the shielding, have been determined for a shielding thickness varying from 100 to 200 cm. It was shown that the neutron flux and the effective dose is higher above the shielding than at the side of it, owing to the higher fraction of high-energy spallation neutrons emitted in the direction of the incident beam protons. At the top, the effective dose was found to be -150 microSv s(-1) for a concrete thickness of 100 cm, while -2.5 microSv s(-1) for a concrete thickness of 200 cm. It was also shown that the high-energy neutrons (> 10 MeV), which are created in the proton-induced spallation interactions in the target, contribute for the major part of the effective doses outside the reactor.     

Physics of cosmic radiation fields.

This paper glances at the knowledge of composition and energy spectra of galactic cosmic rays and briefly discusses the mechanism of solar modulation and of shielding against these particles by the earth's magnetic field. A short review of the properties of solar particle events is given, in which particles emitted from the sun enter the atmosphere. Particle production in the earth's atmosphere in hadronic and electromagnetic cascades is described and the altitude variations of the different particle components are investigated. Typical energy spectra in the atmosphere are presented for some types of particles.     

Time-to-rupture and creep of polymers in radiation fields

The influence of electron bombardment on the time-to-rupture and creep of standard capron fibers in nitrogen and air was studied. An effect of the reversible increase in the creep rate was observed. It was shown that the time-to-rupture and creep rate of capron were substantially dependent on the radiation intensity, load, temperature, and ambient atmosphere. A formula describing the time-to-rupture and creep rate of polymers in radiation fields was derived, and it was shown that this formula correlates with a formula for the electrical conductivity of irradiated dielectrics.     

Thermal fields in regions of complex configuration

On the basis of probabilistic concepts, a simple method of weighted averaging of the boundary temperatures is developed for the construction of the steady thermal field in regions of complex geometry.Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 59, No. 1, pp. 146–149, July, 1990.     

The problems associated with the monitoring of complex workplace radiation fields at European high-energy accelerators and thermonuclear fusion facilities

The European Commission is funding within its Sixth Framework Programme a three-year project (2005-2007) called CONRAD, COordinated Network for RAdiation Dosimetry. The organisational framework for this project is provided by the European Radiation Dosimetry Group EURADOS. One task within the CONRAD project, Work Package 6 (WP6), was to provide a report outlining research needs and research activities within Europe to develop new and improved methods and techniques for the characterisation of complex radiation fields at workplaces around high-energy accelerators, but also at the next generation of thermonuclear fusion facilities. The paper provides an overview of the report, which will be available as CERN Yellow Report.     

Response of radiation protection dosemeters in mixed high-energy photon and electron radiation fields

The response of radiation protection dosemeters in terms of the phantom-related operational quantities Hp(10) and H'(10.0 degrees) was measured for personal and area monitoring systems in mixed high-energy electron and photon radiation fields with energies up to 7 MeV. Using mixed radiation fields composed of different fractions of charged particle and photon fluence, three conditions were produced at the point of measurement: charged particle equilibrium (CPE) (a), a lack (b) and an excess (c) of charged particles relative to the conditions of CPE. Personal and area dosemeters of different types were investigated under conditions (a)-(c). A large variability of the response of the different dosemeter types was observed. The results are presented and discussed.     

Quantum interference in optical fields and atomic radiation

We discuss the connection between quantum interference effects in optical beams and radiation fields emitted from atomic systems. We illustrate this connection by a study of the first- and second-order correlation functions of optical fields and atomic dipole moments. We explore the role of correlations between the emitting systems and present examples of practical methods to implement two systems with non-orthogonal dipole moments. We also derive general conditions for quantum interference in a two-atom system and for a control of spontaneous emission. The relation between population trapping and dark states is also discussed. Moreover, we present quantum dressed-atom models of cancellation of spontaneous emission, amplification on dark transitions, fluorescence quenching and coherent population trapping.     

Determination of personal dose equivalents in accelerator radiation fields

Values for the dose equivalent are required for radiation protection purposes, but determination of such values can be quite difficult for high energy radiations. The accurate determination of personal dose equivalents in accelerator radiation fields requires the propel use of appropriate radiological quantities and units, knowledge of the dose equivalent response of the personal dosemeters used, measurement or calculation of the fluence spectrum in the workplace and the fluence spectrum of the reference radiation used to calibrate the dosemeters, in addition to knowledge of the appropriate fluence-to-dose equivalent conversion coefficients. This information can then be used to select the appropriate dosemeters, set up the optimum calibration conditions, or to establish correction factors that account for differences in the calibration and workplace fluence spectra. High energy neutrons account for a significant fraction of the dose equivalent received by workers at accelerator facilities, and this work discusses the procedures and methods needed to determine dose equivalent produced by neutrons in the vicinity of high energy particle accclerators.     

Dose build up correction for radiation monitors in high-energy bremsstrahlung photon radiation fields

Conventional radiation monitors have been found to underestimate the personal dose equivalent in the high-energy bremsstrahlung photon radiation fields encountered near electron storage rings. Depth-dose measurements in a water phantom were carried out with a radiation survey meter in the bremsstrahlung photon radiation fields from a 450 MeV electron storage ring to find out the magnitude of the underestimation. Dose equivalent indicated by the survey meter was found to build up with increase in thickness of water placed in front of the meter up to certain depth and then reduce with further increase in thickness. A dose equivalent build up factor was estimated from the measurements. An absorbed dose build up factor in a water phantom was also estimated from calculations performed using the Monte Carlo codes, EGS-4 and EGSnrc. The calculations are found to be in very good agreement with the measurements. The studies indicate inadequacy of commercially available radiation monitors for radiation monitoring within shielded enclosures and in streaming high-energy photon radiation fields from electron storage rings, and the need for proper correction for use in such radiation fields.     

高分子辐射材料的研究进展

介绍了高分子辐射材料的开发研究现状,重点论述了高分子防辐射屏蔽材料、辐射聚 合材料、辐射交联材料和辐射接枝材料的研究发展。     

Novel reference radiation fields for pulsed photon radiation installed at PTB

Currently, ～70 % of the occupationally exposed persons in Germany are working in pulsed radiation fields, mainly in the medical sector. It has been known for a few years that active electronic dosemeters exhibit considerable deficits or can even fail completely in pulsed fields. Type test requirements for dosemeters exist only for continuous radiation. Owing to the need of a reference field for pulsed photon radiation and accordingly to the upcoming type test requirements for dosemeters in pulsed radiation, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt has developed a novel X-ray reference field for pulsed photon radiation in cooperation with a manufacturer. This reference field, geared to the main applications in the field of medicine, has been well characterised and is now available for research and type testing of dosemeters in pulsed photon radiation.     

Measurements of radiation fields around high-energy proton accelerators

Monitoring of ionising radiation around high-energy particle accelerators is a difficult task due to the complexity of the radiation field, which is made up of neutrons, charged hadrons, muons, photons and electrons, with energy spectra extending over a wide energy range. The dose-equivalent outside a thick shield is mainly owing to neutrons, with some contribution from photons and, to a minor extent, the other particles. Neutron dosimetry and spectrometry are thus of primary importance to correctly evaluate the exposure of personnel. This paper reviews the relevant techniques and instrumentation employed for monitoring radiation fields around high-energy proton accelerators, with particular emphasis on the recent development to increase the response of neutron measuring devices > 20 MeV. Rem-counters, pressurised ionisation chambers, superheated emulsions, tissue-equivalent proportional counters and Bonner sphere spectrometers are discussed.     

In-flight measurements of radiation fields and doses.

The cosmic ray field at civil aviation altitudes consists of low-ionising radiations and neutrons with different energies. At the meeting on radiation exposure of civil air-crew held in Luxembourg in 1991, it was pointed out that there was a need to obtain a better evaluation of the dose with special regard to that of high energy neutrons. This problem has been tackled within the multinational research programmes of the Commission of the European Communities. These research activities made it possible to set up and calibrate the most advanced systems for the assessment of the occupational exposure of aircraft crew. In particular, two advanced neutron spectrometers have been developed, which cover the entire energy range of neutrons. Under the CEC contracts, a large variety of data has been gathered on many longhaul flights, using different dosimetric systems. Since most of the data have been gathered during the period of solar minimum (1994-1997) they represent an upper limit of the dose due to galactic cosmic rays.