Calculation of Photon Interaction Coefficients


Photons can interact through different processes with the nuclei of elements. These processes, as well as the theories used to calculate the PARTIAL interaction cross sections (interaction coefficients) of these processes, are described in the following paragraphs:


Partial Coefficients are of interest for basic studies and are used primarily in Monte Carlo simulations of photon interactions. Monte Carlo calculations are too cumbersome and too expensive for use in practical engineering and medical applications. For rapid calculations of Shielding and Dose Deposition, two TOTAL coefficients were defined that can be derived by measurements or by combination of theoretically calculated Partial Coefficients. The definitions of these Total Coefficients, as well as methods for their calculation, are discussed in the paragraphs



The program PHOTCOEF, written for microprocessors running unter DOS and WINDOWS, calculates all coefficients (linear and mass, partial and total) for elements, chemical compounds, and for mixtures of elements and compounds.

On-line calculation of mass-coefficients of the elements can be done by a program put on the Web by CSRRI, the Center for Synchrotron Radiation Research and Instrumentation of the Illinois Institute of Technology.



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Edited on 6 August 2001 - E-mail to the Webmaster