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The role of microdosimetry in radiobiology

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Summary

Microdosimetry is a branch of radiological physics that provides quantitative characterization of the non-uniformity of energy deposition in uniformly irradiated matter.

Considerations based on microdosimetry indicate that the action of ionizing radiation on the cells of higher organisms depends on the square of the specific energy absorbed in subcellular volumes. This is the basis of the Theory of Dual Radiation Action. The basic postulate of this theory is reviewed and four factors are discussed that modify its elementary formulation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiological Research Laboratory, Department of Radiology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, 10032, New York, NY, USA

    Harald H. Rossi

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  1. Harald H. Rossi
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Rossi, H.H. The role of microdosimetry in radiobiology. Radiat Environ Biophys 17, 29–40 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01323118

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01323118

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