Equation describing linear energy transfer

In summary, the equation for the linear energy transfer (LET) is LET=-\frac{4\pi e^4Nz^2Z}{m_0v^2} (ln\frac{2m_0v^2}{I}-ln(1-\beta^2)-\beta^2)=-\frac{dE}{dx}, where e is the charge of an electron, Z is the atomic number of the material being irradiated, m_0 is the mass, z is the charge number of the beam particle, v is the velocity of the beam particle, I is the average ionisation potential (\approx11.5Z(eV)), \beta=\frac{v}{c} and \
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lavster
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can someone confirm that the equation for the linear energy transfer is:

[tex]LET=-\frac{4\pi e^4Nz^2Z}{m_0v^2} (ln\frac{2m_0v^2}{I}-ln(1-\beta^2)-\beta^2)=-\frac{dE}{dx},[/tex]
where e is the charge of an electron, Z is the atomic number of the material being irradiated, m_0 is the mass, z is the charge number of the beam particle, v is the velocity of the beam particle, I is the average ionisation potential ([tex]\approx11.5Z(eV)[/tex]), [tex]\beta=\frac{v}{c}[/tex] and [tex]\frac{dE}{dx}[/tex] is the energy loss per unit length.

and hence LET is the same as the stopping power. (the internet as confused me greatly)

thanks
 
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Let's try the Physics forum for this...
 
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FAQ: Equation describing linear energy transfer

What is linear energy transfer?

Linear energy transfer (LET) is a measure of the rate at which energy is transferred from ionizing radiation to the material it passes through. It is a physical quantity that describes the amount of energy deposited per unit length of the radiation track.

How is LET calculated?

LET can be calculated by dividing the energy deposited in a material by the distance the radiation travels through that material. It is typically measured in units of kiloelectron volts per micrometer (keV/μm) or megaelectron volts per centimeter (MeV/cm).

What is the significance of LET in radiation biology?

LET plays a critical role in understanding the effects of radiation on living organisms. Higher LET radiation has a greater probability of causing DNA damage and cell death compared to lower LET radiation. This is because higher LET radiation deposits more energy in a smaller area, leading to more concentrated damage.

What factors affect LET?

The LET of radiation is influenced by a variety of factors, including the type of radiation (e.g. alpha, beta, gamma), the energy of the radiation, and the material it passes through. Additionally, the density and atomic number of the material can also impact LET.

How is LET used in radiation therapy?

In radiation therapy, LET is used to determine the most effective type and energy of radiation to use for a particular tumor. High LET radiation is typically used for more resistant tumors, while low LET radiation is used for more sensitive tumors. Additionally, LET is also used to determine the appropriate dosage and fractionation of radiation for a specific cancer treatment plan.

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