Characteristics of a negative pion beam in a therapeutic application

Lithium-drifted silicon detectors were used to investigate the components of the pion beam at the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility. The components of the incoming beam are about 5% electrons, 10% muons, and 85% pions. Pulse spectra of the incoming beam and of the "stars" produced by the pions were obtained in a phantom. The analysis of the spectra into different LET components showing where pions are most effective is presented.