Frontiers in Physics (Nov 2020)

Are Further Cross Section Measurements Necessary for Space Radiation Protection or Ion Therapy Applications? Helium Projectiles

  • John W. Norbury,
  • Giuseppe Battistoni,
  • Judith Besuglow,
  • Judith Besuglow,
  • Luca Bocchini,
  • Daria Boscolo,
  • Alexander Botvina,
  • Martha Clowdsley,
  • Wouter de Wet,
  • Marco Durante,
  • Marco Durante,
  • Martina Giraudo,
  • Thomas Haberer,
  • Lawrence Heilbronn,
  • Felix Horst,
  • Michael Krämer,
  • Chiara La Tessa,
  • Chiara La Tessa,
  • Francesca Luoni,
  • Francesca Luoni,
  • Andrea Mairani,
  • Silvia Muraro,
  • Ryan B. Norman,
  • Vincenzo Patera,
  • Giovanni Santin,
  • Giovanni Santin,
  • Christoph Schuy,
  • Lembit Sihver,
  • Lembit Sihver,
  • Tony C. Slaba,
  • Nikolai Sobolevsky,
  • Albana Topi,
  • Uli Weber,
  • Charles M. Werneth,
  • Cary Zeitlin

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphy.2020.565954
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8

Abstract

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The helium (4He) component of the primary particles in the galactic cosmic ray spectrum makes significant contributions to the total astronaut radiation exposure. 4He ions are also desirable for direct applications in ion therapy. They contribute smaller projectile fragmentation than carbon (12C) ions and smaller lateral beam spreading than protons. Space radiation protection and ion therapy applications need reliable nuclear reaction models and transport codes for energetic particles in matter. Neutrons and light ions (1H, 2H, 3H, 3He, and 4He) are the most important secondary particles produced in space radiation and ion therapy nuclear reactions; these particles penetrate deeply and make large contributions to dose equivalent. Since neutrons and light ions may scatter at large angles, double differential cross sections are required by transport codes that propagate radiation fields through radiation shielding and human tissue. This work will review the importance of 4He projectiles to space radiation and ion therapy, and outline the present status of neutron and light ion production cross section measurements and modeling, with recommendations for future needs.

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