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.
space radiation cross sections
helium projectile ion therapy
ion therapy cross sections
helium projectile space radiation
helium projectile cross section measurements
Author
John W. Norbury
NASA Langley Research Center
Giuseppe Battistoni
National Institute for Nuclear Physics
Judith Besuglow
Heidelberg University
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Luca Bocchini
Thales Alenia Space Italia
Daria Boscolo
Helmholtz
Alexander Botvina
Russian Academy of Sciences
Martha Clowdsley
NASA Langley Research Center
Wouter de Wet
University of New Hampshire
Marco Durante
Technische Universität Darmstadt
Helmholtz
Martina Giraudo
Thales Alenia Space Italia
Thomas Haberer
Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center
Lawrence Heilbronn
University of Tennessee
Felix Horst
Helmholtz
Michael Krämer
Helmholtz
Chiara La Tessa
Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications
University of Trento
Francesca Luoni
Technische Universität Darmstadt
Helmholtz
Andrea Mairani
Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center
Silvia Muraro
National Institute for Nuclear Physics
Ryan B. Norman
NASA Langley Research Center
Vincenzo Patera
Sapienza University of Rome
G. Santin
Rhea Group
European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESA ESTEC)
Christoph Schuy
Helmholtz
Lembit Sihver
Vienna University of Technology
Chalmers, Physics, Subatomic, High Energy and Plasma Physics
Tony C. Slaba
NASA Langley Research Center
Nikolai Sobolevsky
Russian Academy of Sciences
Albana Topi
Helmholtz
Uli Weber
Helmholtz
Charles M. Werneth
NASA Langley Research Center
C. Zeitlin
Leidos Innovations Corporation
Frontiers in Physics
2296424X (eISSN)
Vol. 8 565954Subject Categories
Accelerator Physics and Instrumentation
Subatomic Physics
Fusion, Plasma and Space Physics
DOI
10.3389/fphy.2020.565954