RADIATION EFFECTS AND DAMAGE （辐射效应和损伤）.pdfVIP

RADIATION EFFECTS AND DAMAGE The detrimental consequences of radiation are referred to as radiation damage. To understand the effects of radiation, one must first be familiar with the radiations and their interaction mechanisms. Further, the fundamental characteristics of the material(s) being irradiated must also be understood. A brief summary of the characteristics of radiation is first presented below. This is followed by a general discussion of the effects of radiation, along with some specific examples, with an emphasis toward the ionizing effects. 1. Ionizing Radiations The radiations of concern here include charged particles such as electrons (beta particles), protons, alphas and fission fragment ions, and the neutral radiations including photons (gamma and X rays) and neutrons. Table I compares some key characteristics of the radiations, including charge, mass, and range in air. For a kinetic energy of 1 MeV, the electron is relativistic (0.94c). For the same energy, the heavier particles are slower, stopped easier and deposit their entire energy over a shorter distance. The passage of radiation through tissue is depicted in Figure 1. Table I: Comparison of Ionizing Radiation Radiation (EK = 1 MeV) Characteristic Beta (β) or Photon Alpha (α) Proton (p ) Neutron (n) Electron (e) (γ or X ray) Symbol 4 2+ 1 1+ 0 0 1 2 αor He 1p or H −1e or β 0γ