Ateneo - UPO

Descriptions and formulas.

The course aims to convey basics hints of the physics involved in the operation of machines for Radiation Therapy.

Basic of Fundamental and Radiation Physics.

Lectures with projection of power point slides. Physics exercises executed in real time displayed on a whiteboard.

Oral exam with possible written solution of a exercise.

Hints of quantum mechanics. Atomic transitions. Missing mass in atomic nuclei. Binding energy. Nuclear transitions. Electric and magnetic field. Electromagnetic field. Interaction of photons with matter: attenuation, half value layer. Depth-dose curves. Photoelectrin effect, Compton effect pair production. Secondary electrons. Build up. Interaction of charged particles with matter. Energy loss. Multiple scattering. Bragg peak for heavy charged particles. Depth-dose curves. Basic principles for accelerating charged particles: Lorentz force.Linear accelerator: accelerating cavity, head. Collimators. Filters. Dose monitoring. Ionization chambers.

Understanding and familiarity with the physics processes involved in radiation therapy.