Microdosimetric Response of Physical and Biological Systems to Low- and High-LET Radiations : Theory and Applications to Dosimetry

One of the aims of this book was to focus the attention of specialists to the diversity of the effects of the ionising radiation on biological and physical systems. Special emphasis has been placed on the exquisite complexities/differences introduced by high ionisation density versus low ionisation density irradiation in both biological and physical systems (Scholz - Chapter 1, Horowitz - Chapter 2, Olko - Chapter 3). As well we wanted to point out the need for novel experimental and theoretical approaches required to advance the important fields of micro and nanodosimetry. Important first steps have already been taken, for example, the accelerated application of semiconductor detectors in their various forms to microdosimetry and as well to practical, important applications in the radiation dosimetry of oncological procedures (Rosenfeld - Chapter 6). The vast number of applications of TLD to radiation dosimetry are not neglected; a special chapter is devoted to the application of TLDs to medical dosimetry applications (Mobit and Kron - Chapter 7) as well as a tutorial approach in an additional chapter to the cavity theories required to extrapolate dose from the detector medium to the tissue medium (Mobit and Sandison - Chapter 5). One of the major features of this book is the intensive, in depth, coverage of the theory and modelling of TL both from the solid state physics point of view (Chen - Chapter 4) and the microdosimetic point of view (Horowitz - Chapter 2 and Olko - Chapter 3). The many puzzling, quaint, quizzical features of TL science can now be understood in the framework of these advanced theoretical models, explained in straightforward, understandable terms. · Quantifies/unifies the effects of ionising radiation in both the biological and physical systems · Authoritative treatment of applications of semiconductor detectors and thermoluminescence dosemeters in medica l radiation dosimetry · Basic and advanced aspects of microdosimetry applied to both biological and physical systems · In-depth review of the effects of the density of ionising radiation in tsl and osl · Concise and elegant treatment of cavity theory in medical oncological dosimetry · Comprehensive review of this important interdisciplinary field including hundreds of ilustrations and references Professor Horowitz is a world-reknown expert on TL microdosmetric theory and applications to dosimetry. He is the author of the highly successful 3 volume book on TL and TL dosimetry, has authored approximately 150 research papers and fifteen review articles on TLD and the influence of ionisation density on TL mechanisms. Prof. Horowitz is on the Editorial Board of three leading radiation-dosimetry-related international journals. In the past two decades he has pioneered and developed microdosimetric TL models such as the Unified Interaction Model, the Extended Track Interaction Model and ModifiedTrack Structure Theory models for the calculation of TL efficiency. He has served on the Scientific Advisory Committee of the past nine International Solid State Dosimetry Conferences spanning the period 1983-2007 and was the President of the 13th SSD Conference in Athens in 2001. All his co-authors are also internationally recognised scientists in their fields of expertise, with outstanding research careers at universities and governmental research institutes. All co-authors have had extensive experience in writing and editing books, conference proceedings, review articles, graduate student training, etc...This book is first and foremost aimed at forming a bridge between the biological and physical sciences dealing with ionising radiation interaction with solid state and biological systems as well as applications of solid state devices to dosimetry in radiobiological and oncological applications. These disciplines have over the past two decades become more and more inter-dependent and synergistic and a major, comprehensive, carefully constructed book of this nature is long overdue. Special emphasis has been placed on the exquisite complexities/differences introduced by high ionisation density versus low ionisation density irradiation in both biological and physical systems. Our aim was to make the material comprehensible to readers with diverse backgrounds, maintaining, however, a disciplined and comprehensive approach to the subject matter. The book will appeal to professionals and researchers in the many applied fields of dosimetry, Health Physics, Medical Oncological and Radiological Physics, Radiobiologists and Solid State Physicists interested in TL, OSL as well as professionals in the fields of TL and OSL dating. One of the aims of this book was to focus the attention of specialists to the diversity of the effects of the ionising radiation on biological and physical systems. Special emphasis has been placed on the exquisite complexities/differences introduced by high ionisation density versus low ionisation density irradiation in both biological and physical systems (Scholz – Chapter 1, Horowitz – Chapter 2, Olko – Chapter 3). As well we wanted to point out the need for novel experimental and theoretical approaches required to advance the important fields of micro and nanodosimetry. Important first steps have already been taken, for example, the accelerated application of semiconductor detectors in their various forms to microdosimetry and as well to practical, important applications in the radiation dosimetry of oncological procedures (Rosenfeld – Chapter 6). The vast number of applications of TLD to radiation dosimetry are not neglected; a special chapter is devoted to the application of TLDs to medical dosimetry applications (Mobit and Kron – Chapter 7) as well as a tutorial approach in an additional chapter to the cavity theories required to extrapolate dose from the detector medium to the tissue medium (Mobit and Sandison - Chapter 5). One of the major features of this book is the intensive, in depth, coverage of the theory and modelling of TL both from the solid state physics point of view (Chen – Chapter 4) and the microdosimetic point of view (Horowitz – Chapter 2 and Olko – Chapter 3). The many puzzling, quaint, quizzical features of TL science can now be understood in the framework of these advanced theoretical models, explained in straightforward, understandable terms.

· Quantifies/unifies the effects of ionising radiation in both the biological and physical systems
· Authoritative treatment of applications of semiconductor detectors and thermoluminescence dosemeters in medica l radiation dosimetry
· Basic and advanced aspects of microdosimetry applied to both biological and physical systems
· In-depth review of the effects of the density of ionising radiation in tsl and osl
· Concise and elegant treatment of cavity theory in medical oncological dosimetry
· Comprehensive review of this important interdisciplinary field including hundreds of ilustrations and references Focuses the attention of specialists to the diversity of the effects of the ionising radiation on biological and physical systems. This book emphasis on the exquisite complexities/differences introduced by high ionisation density versus low ionisation density irradiation in both biological and physical systems