Are Further Cross Section Measurements Necessary for Space Radiation Protection or Ion Therapy Applications? Helium Projectiles
Review article, 2020

The helium ((Formula presented.) He) component of the primary particles in the galactic cosmic ray spectrum makes significant contributions to the total astronaut radiation exposure. (Formula presented.) He ions are also desirable for direct applications in ion therapy. They contribute smaller projectile fragmentation than carbon ((Formula presented.) C) 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 ((Formula presented.) H, (Formula presented.) H, (Formula presented.) H, (Formula presented.) He, and (Formula presented.) He) 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 (Formula presented.) He 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.

ion therapy cross sections

space radiation cross sections

helium projectile space radiation

helium projectile cross section measurements

helium projectile ion therapy

Author

John W. Norbury

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Giuseppe Battistoni

National Institute for Nuclear Physics

Judith Besuglow

German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)

Heidelberg University

Luca Bocchini

Thales Alenia Space Italia

Daria Boscolo

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

Alexander Botvina

Russian Academy of Sciences

Martha Clowdsley

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Wouter de Wet

University of New Hampshire

Marco Durante

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

Technische Universität Darmstadt

Martina Giraudo

Thales Alenia Space Italia

Thomas Haberer

Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center

Lawrence Heilbronn

University of Tennessee

Felix Horst

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

Michael Krämer

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

Chiara La Tessa

University of Trento

Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications

Francesca Luoni

Technische Universität Darmstadt

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

Andrea Mairani

Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center

Silvia Muraro

National Institute for Nuclear Physics

Ryan B. Norman

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Vincenzo Patera

Sapienza University of Rome

G. Santin

European Space Agency (ESA)

Rhea Group

Christoph Schuy

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

Lembit Sihver

Vienna University of Technology

Chalmers, Physics, Subatomic, High Energy and Plasma Physics

Tony C. Slaba

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Nikolai Sobolevsky

Russian Academy of Sciences

Albana Topi

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

Uli Weber

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

Charles M. Werneth

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

C. Zeitlin

Leidos Innovations Corporation

Frontiers in Physics

2296424X (eISSN)

Vol. 8 565954

Subject Categories (SSIF 2011)

Accelerator Physics and Instrumentation

Subatomic Physics

Fusion, Plasma and Space Physics

DOI

10.3389/fphy.2020.565954

More information

Latest update

4/23/2025