Learning outcomes of the course unit
This corse about Heath Physics is one part of the main course. It wants to give a background to undergraduate students about health and environmental physics related to the ionising radiations with aim to use the knowledge and the acquired understanding to identify a risk related to ionizing radiation or its uses. These results can be achieved with the understanding of many applications of ionising radiations used in diagnosis and therapy .
Course contents summary
The first part of lectures is related to the definition of ionizing radiations with particular reference to the production of X-rays and to the production of radiation emitted during radioactive decays.
The second part of the course is devoted to the discussion of the ionizing radiation interaction with matter. In particular, it will be explained the interactions of X-ray, gamma photons, heavy charged particles, light charged particles and neutrons with matter. The third part of the course covers applications with particular reference to biomedical and industrial diagnostic techniques. Applications also in health care concerning radiotherapy with LINAC, hadrontherapy and Neutron therapy are presented.
Ionizing radiation: X-ray and their production
Radioactivity and nuclear reaction: simple radioactivity decay , decay chains, radioactive equilibria.
Type of radioactivity decay: alpha ; beta ; gamma
Interaction of high energy photons with matter elastic scattering , Photoelectric effect, Compton Effect, Pair Production, Activation.
X-ray application: radiotherapy, traditional radio diagnostic, TC
Radioisotope medical application: SPECT, PET, brachytherapy
Interaction of heavy charge particles with matter: specific energy loss.
Bragg's peak : ion beam therapy.
Interaction of light charged particles with matter: stopping power, radiative losses.
Interaction of neutron with matter
BNCT (boron Neutron Capture Therapy)
Joseph Magill , Jean Galy: Radioactivity Radionuclides Radiation, Springer Ed.
The aims of the course will be mostly achieved with lectures, but also with practical exercises. During class students are engage through the use of spreadsheets and applets.
Assessment methods and criteria
The assessment of the achievement of course aims is obteined with an oral or written exam. Using open-ended questions about the contents of the course will be determined whether the student has achieved the goal of content knowledge and understanding. Through questions regarding healthcare and industrial applications will be determined whether the student has achieved the goal of applying the acquired knowledge.