The influence of field size on stopping-power ratios in- and out-of-field: quantitative data for the BrainLAB m3 micro-multileaf collimator.

The objective of this work is to quantify the systematic errors introduced by the common assumption of invariant secondary electron spectra with changing field sizes, as relevant to stereotactic radiotherapy and other treatment modes incorporating small beam segments delivered with a linac-based stereotactic unit. The EGSnrc/BEAMnrc Monte Carlo radiation transport code was used to construct a dosimetrically-matched model of a Varian 600C linear accelerator with mounted BrainLAB micro-multileaf collimator. Stopping-power ratios were calculated for field sizes ranging from 6 × 6 mm2 up to the maximum (98 × 98 mm2), and differences between these and the reference field were computed.

Justifying referrals for paediatric CT.

• The system of radiation protection assumes a linear dose-response relationship with no threshold for low doses and dose rate exposures. This is based on epidemiological evidence at higher doses. • Hence there is a small theoretical risk of carcinogenesis attributable to low doses of ionising radiation.

Paediatric CT imaging trends in Australia.

Introduction: The use of CT has rapidly increased since its introduction. Although an important medical tool for diagnosis and treatment, CT is recognised as being among the highest contributors to population radiation exposure. As the risks associated with exposure are higher for children than for adults, this study assessed the impact of paediatric CT in Australia by analysing imaging trends.

On the use of mercury as a means of locating background sources in ultra low-background HPGe-detector systems.

In low-level gamma-ray spectrometry, it is common to measure large samples in order to obtain low detection limits for the massic activity (in mBq/kg). These samples have significant shielding effects. In order to study whether the background sources in three ultra low-background HPGe detectors were located in the detector or in the shield, Marinelli beakers filled with hyperpure mercury were measured.

A low-level activation technique for monitoring thermonuclear fusion plasma conditions.

Optimisation of the confinement and sustainability of a thermonuclear plasma requires methods to monitor processes in the plasma. In this work three materials were used as activation targets (Ti, MgF2 and a TiVAl compound). They were placed inside the joint European Torus (JET) vacuum chamber.

Cascade summing effects in close geometry gamma-ray spectrometry.

Low-level gamma-ray spectrometry, particularly in underground laboratories, is used to measure radioactivity in diverse close geometries, often placing samples directly on the detector which favours strong cascade summing effects. Monte-Carlo modelling of the efficiency is extended to cascade summing effects from complete decay sequences including positron emitting radionuclides. The effect of geometrical uncertainties on the overall uncertainty is presented.

The distribution of 210Pb in human bone and its impact on methods for the retrospective estimation of 222Rn exposure from in vivo measurements.

It is possible to estimate radon exposure to man retrospectively by the in vivo measurement of the decay product (210)Pb, which accumulates in the bones. For in vivo methods, knowledge of the distribution of (210)Pb in the skeleton is needed to determine the optimal site for measurement, the skull or the knee. In this study the activity of (210)Pb in a variety of bone samples from 3 individuals have been measured in vitro using underground gamma-ray spectrometry.

Thermal neutron fluence from ultra low-level gamma-ray spectrometry of spoons activated during the JCO criticality accident at Tokai-mura in 1999.

During the JCO-accident in Tokai-mura in 1999, the surrounding village was irradiated by an uncontrolled neutron flux. At some locations in that village, the thermal neutron flux was determined retrospectively by measurement of the very low activity of 51Cr and 60Co in stainless-steel spoons using gamma-ray spectrometry in underground laboratories. Activities determined in the HADES underground facility are presented here, together with calibrations performed using a well-defined thermal neutron flux to directly estimate the fluence of thermal neutrons independent of most assumptions.

Measurement of low levels of 26Al from meteorite samples.

As part of an intercomparison to resolve discrepancies between accelerator mass spectrometry results and radiometric results, the 26Al activity in four meteorite samples was measured using ultra low-level gamma-ray spectrometry in the underground laboratory HADES. Although reference sources were used, extensive use was made of computer modelling to determine corrections for absorption, coincidence summing between gamma rays in the decays and annihilation radiation following positron emission. Directional correlation corrections were also taken into account.