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  • Title: Comparison of Monte Carlo calculated electron slowing-down spectra generated by 60Co gamma-rays, electrons, protons and light ions.
    Author: Tilly N, Fernández-Varea JM, Grusell E, Brahme A.
    Journal: Phys Med Biol; 2002 Apr 21; 47(8):1303-19. PubMed ID: 12030557.
    Abstract:
    When analysing the factors affecting the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of different radiation qualities, it is essential to consider particularly the low-energy slowing-down electrons (around 100 eV to 1 keV) since they have the potential of inflicting severe damage to the DNA. We present a modified and extended version of the Monte Carlo code PENELOPE that enables scoring of slowing-down spectra. mean local energy imparted spectra and average intra-track nearest-neighbour energy deposition distances of the secondary electrons generated by different radiation qualities, such as electrons, photons, protons and light ions in general. The resulting spectra show that the low-linear energy transfer (LET) beams, 60Co gamma-rays and electrons with initial energies of 0.1 MeV and higher, have as expected approximately the same electron slowing-down fluence per unit dose in the biologically important low-energy interval. Consistent with the general behaviour of the RBE of low-energy electrons, protons and light ions, the low-energy electron slowing-down fluence per unit dose is larger than for low-LET beams, and it increases with decreasing initial projectile energy.
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