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The determination of electron density by the dual‐energy Compton scatter method
Author(s) -
Huddleston Alan L.,
Sackler Jay P.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 2473-4209
pISSN - 0094-2405
DOI - 10.1118/1.595730
Subject(s) - compton scattering , physics , densitometry , effective atomic number , attenuation , electron , photon , electron density , optics , scattering , computational physics , compton wavelength , radiation , dosimetry , gamma ray , nuclear physics , nuclear medicine , medicine
The intensity of Compton scattered photons is directly proportional to the electron density of a substance; therefore it is possible to detect changes in electron density by this noninvasive method. The source–detector geometry has been varied to study the effects of geometry on the calculated electron density values, using a 90° scattering angle. The dual‐energy Compton scatter method provides a determination of electron density in known samples, with an uncertainty of less than 1% for the optimal geometry. The effective linear attenuation coefficient for Compton scatter has been determined with an uncertainty of 2.1%–3.6% for the optimal geometry used. The applications of the dual‐energy Compton scattering technique in radiotherapy dosimetry and skeletal bone densitometry are being investigated.