A semi-microscopic model for the evaluation of radiation damage

A model for the biological effects of the energy deposited by ion beams on irradiated tissues is presented. The relevant parameters are the fractions of undamaged cells (where of course the definition of damaged cell depends on the biological end point under consideration, e.g. surviving cells) after the sensitive target of the cells has been traversed by any given number of ionising particles. The experimental parameters of the dose response curves offer a way to determine those of the model. The model can be formulated both for the simpler case of cells traversed by only one radiation quality, i.e. by a monoenergetic beam of a given ion, and for the general case of irradiation by a mixed field. A possible application in experimental data analysis is presented.