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GS02-1093 - Introduction To Medical Physics I Basic Interactions Problem Set 3.1a Solutions

This document contains solutions to problems about the interaction of photons with matter. It defines the linear attenuation coefficient, half-value layer (HVL), and tenth-value layer (TVL) and shows how to calculate them for a given beam of photons. Graphical methods are demonstrated for estimating beam attenuation and comparing results to calculated values. An equation relating the TVL and HVL is derived.

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289 views

GS02-1093 - Introduction To Medical Physics I Basic Interactions Problem Set 3.1a Solutions

This document contains solutions to problems about the interaction of photons with matter. It defines the linear attenuation coefficient, half-value layer (HVL), and tenth-value layer (TVL) and shows how to calculate them for a given beam of photons. Graphical methods are demonstrated for estimating beam attenuation and comparing results to calculated values. An equation relating the TVL and HVL is derived.

Uploaded by

HanaTriana
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GS02-1093 - Introduction to Medical Physics I

Basic Interactions
Problem Set 3.1a Solutions

1. (J & C 5.1) A beam of photons has a linear attenuation coefficient of 0.03 cm -1.
Calculate the fraction transmitted through layers of material 5 mm, 1.5 cm, and 20 cm
thick, first using the equation N Nx , then using the equation N N 0 e x .
Account for the differences in your answer.

Using the first equation, the fraction transmitted is given by

N
f 1
N
1 x

Using the second equation, the fraction transmitted is given by

N
f
N0
e x

We generate a table as follows:

linear attenuation coefficient 0.03

thickness x x x e-x
0.5 0.015 0.985 0.985
1.5 0.045 0.955 0.956
20.0 0.600 0.400 0.549

The first equation is suitable for thin attenuators, because the beam is altered very
little as it passed through a thin attenuator. The second equation is the correct
equation to use for thick or thin attenuators.
2. (J & C 5.2) For the beam in problem 1 calculate the HVL and TVL.

0.693
HVL

0.693

0.03 cm -1
23.1 cm

log 10
TVL

2.303


2.303

0.03 cm -1
76.77 cm

a. Plot using the HVL only and extrapolate or interpolate to 20 cm thickness.

1.0
N/N0

0.1
0 5 10 15 20 25

attenuator thickness
(cm)

Estimating the attenuation corresponding to 20 cm thickness gives us a


transmission of approximately 0.55.

b. Plot using the TVL and interpolate to obtain the HVL (graphically)
10

N/N0
0.1

0.01
0 20 40 60 80 100

attenuator thickness
(cm)

Estimating the HVL from this graph gives us a value of approximately 25


cm

c. Compare with calculated values.

Values appear close to one another, indicating that graphical method is


good for estimating attenuation.

3. Derive the equation TVL = 3.32 HVL.

log 10
TVL

log 2
HVL

TVL log 10

HVL log 2
2.303

0.693
3.323

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