The course aims to present the theoretical and practical foundations for a new medical physics recruit to the basis of radiation physics, radiation measurements and dosimetry.
• Atomic and nuclear structure
• Classification of radiations
• Quantities and units used for describing radiation fields and the interaction of ionizing radiation with matter
• Indirectly ionizing radiations: photon beams
• Exponential attenuation
• Photon interactions with matter
• Directly ionizing radiations and interactions with matter
• Radioactive decay.
• Charged particle and radiation equilibrium.
• Radiation dosimetry
• Calorimetric dosimetry
• Chemical (Fricke) dosimetry
• Bragg-Gray cavity theory
• Ionization chambers
• Calibration of photon and electron beams with ionization chambers
• Relative dosimetry techniques
After finishing this material, the student should be able to:
• describe and perform calculations related to concepts of radioactive decay, photons and electrons interactions with matter, radiation field, radiation dose with emphasis on exponential attenuation under both narrow-and broad-beam conditions, energy transfer and dose deposition
• explain the detection and measurement of radiation, radiation dosimetry, the production of radionuclides and its use in tracer techniques and brachytherapy.