Microdosimetry. I. Use of secondary electron emission

The potential of secondary electron emission as a basis for microdosimetric analysis is explored. Secondary electron emission phenomena are compared with gaseous ionisation and a brief review of work on the stochastic nature of secondary emission is presented. Input data are selected and calculations undertaken to obtain lineal energy spectra. The frequency and dose mean of lineal energy obtained from these calculations in various volumes are compared with results obtained with proportional counters. Some biologic applications of this approach to microdosimetry are discussed.