Cavity Theory

Bragg-Gray Theory

Bragg-Gray Theory
• The thickness of the g-layer is assumed to
be so small in comparison with the range of
the charged particles striking it that its
presence does not perturb the charged
particle field.
• The absorbed dose in the cavity is assumed
to be deposited entirely by the charged
particle crossing it.

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For a cavity of gas

• Cavity can be liquid or solid

1 mm gas equals 1 µm of condensed media
• CPE does not have to exist, however Φ has
to be the same
• If CPE exists, the presence of an
equilibrium spectrum of charged particles
allows some simplification in estimating Φ

Corollaries of the BG relation

• First BG Corollary
Same cavity is filled with gas g1 and g2

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• BG theory does not require CPE or homogeneous
field of radiation, as long as the stopping power
ratios are evaluated for the cp spectrum that
crosses the cavity
• If CPE exists in the neighborhood of a point of
interest in the medium w, then the insertion of a
BG cavity at the point of interest maybe assumed
not to perturb the equilibrium spectrum of cp
existing there. The presence of an equilibrium
spectrum of cp allows some simplification in
estimating the flux and therefore the mass
stopping power ratios.

Corollaries of the BG relation

• Second BG Corollary
• Two cavities are filled with same gas

Spencer’s derivation of the BG

theory
Consider small cavity filled with medium g, surrounded by
homogeneous medium w that contains an homogeneous source
emitting N identical charged particles per gram, each with
kinetic energy T0 (MeV). No bremsstrahlung production.

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Including bremsstrahlung
Radiation yield

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 Averaging of stopping powers
Considering spectrum of charged particles from 0 to Tmax

Averaging of stopping powers

When CPE does not exist

Calculate

then lock up the stopping power

Spencer-Attix cavity theory

measurements
BG

412 keV gamma-rays from 198Au

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R(T0,T) is the ratio of the differential electron fluence,
including delta rays to that of primary electrons alone.

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Burlin cavity theory

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When g is different from w

Burlin theory ignores this source of error.

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 Fano theorem

CP fluence at any point where CPE exists has a value that is

independent of density variations within the volume of origin
of the particles.

Polarization effect is a problem and undermines the validity

of Fano theorem for megavoltage photons.

Other cavity theories

New and more complicated theories Æ being replaced by MC

Dose near interfaces between

dissimilar media under gamma-
irradiation

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