Investigation of some attenuation and interaction ionizing radiation parameters of selected human tissues

Abstract

This study aims to calculate and analyze different radiation interactions and attenuation parameters through 22 types of human tissues. Mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), half value layer (HVL), total cross section (δ_T), and effective atomic number (Z_eff) for photon energy across the spectrum band 0.0595–1.33 MeV were observed. These parameters were obtained through the EPICS 2017 software. Fast neutron removal cross section (FNRCS) at 4.5 MeV and macroscopic removal cross section (MRCS) were calculated by Phy-X/PSD and MRCScal software, respectively. In addition, electronic, nuclear linear energy transfer (dE/dx) and ranges (R) of H⁺, He⁺⁺, and Au⁺ energetic ions were evaluated with SRIM Monte Carlo software across a wide energy range of 0.0011–20 MeV. Moreover, the CSDA range and total stopping power (TSP) of energetic electron 0.01–1000 MeV interaction through the selected human tissues were calculated by the ESTAR NIST program. The cortical bone has the highest Z_eff values, while the adipose tissue has the lowest values across all energies over the interesting photon energy (0.0595–1.33 MeV). The descending order of ion ranges is \(R_{{{\text{H}}^{+} }}\) > \(R_{{{\text{He}}^{++} }}\) > \(R_{{{\text{Au}}^{+} }}\) through the investigated tissues. Gamma-ray dose rate (Dr) values through bone (men), bone (women), and cortical bone three tissues are higher than other selected tissues. The attenuation parameters are essential input values in estimating not only the dose and exposure in radiotherapy and medical diagnostic imaging but also in the proper design of photon shield material.