Single- and Double-Strand Breaks of Dry DNA Exposed to Protons at Bragg-Peak Energies

Ultrathin layers (<20 nm) of pBR322 plasmid DNA were deposited onto 2.5 μm thick polyester films and exposed to proton Bragg-peak energies (90-3000 keV) at various fluences. A quantitative analysis of radio-induced DNA damage is reported here in terms of single- and double-strand breaks (SSB and DSB, respectively). The corresponding yields as well as G-values and the cross sections exhibit fairly good agreement with the rare available data, stemming from close experimental conditions, namely, based on α particle irradiation. SSB/DSB rates appear to be linear when plotted against linear energy transfer (LET) in the whole energy range studied. All the data present a maximum in the 150-200 keV energy range; as for LET, it peaks at 90 keV. We also show that fragmentation starts to be significant for proton fluences greater than 1 × 10¹¹ cm^-2 at the Bragg-peak energies. Finally, we determine the average proton track radial extension, r_max, corresponding to an occupation probability of 100% DSB in the Bragg-peak region. The r_max values determined are in excellent agreement with the radial extensions of proton tracks determined by simulation approaches in water. When plotted as a function of LET, both SSB and DSB cross sections bend back at high LETs.