Radiation Dose Rate Calculation w/ Gamma Ray Sources

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the total dose delivered by four point gamma ray sources implanted in tissue, each with an initial activity of 15 MBq and a half-life of 60 days. The dose rate formula provided is Dose Rate = (Constant)(exp -ur)(r-2), where u = 0.25 cm-1. The key challenge identified is determining the constant in the equation using conservation of energy, specifically converting decay rates and energy per decay into appropriate units. The importance of accounting for geometric, shielding, and temporal effects in dose calculations is emphasized.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gamma radiation and its properties
  • Knowledge of radioactive decay and half-life calculations
  • Familiarity with dose rate equations and their components
  • Basic principles of energy conservation in physics
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  • Calculate the constant in the dose rate equation using conservation of energy
  • Learn about integrating dose rates over time for radioactive sources
  • Study geometric and shielding effects on radiation dose calculations
  • Explore isodose distribution mapping techniques for radiation therapy
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Radiation physicists, medical physicists, and professionals involved in radiation therapy planning and dose calculations will benefit from this discussion.

pone
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Hi, I am having much trouble on this particular question. Here it is:

Four “point” gamma ray sources are permanently implanted in tissue so that the sources are at the corners of a 1 cm X 1 cm square. Each source has an initial activity of 15 MBq (1 Bq = one decay per second), every decay produces a 30 keV gamma ray, and the half-life is 60 days. The dose rate from each source falls off with distance, r, according to

Dose Rate = (Constant)(exp -ur)(r-2)

where u = 0.25 cm-1. Calculate the total dose delivered by the implanted sources to a point at the centre of the square. Sketch the isodose distribution in the plane that contains all of the sources.

Hint: Use conservation of energy to evaluate the constant in the equation above.

Attempt at a solution:
This question confuses me because there is no real time frame given. There is a half life, but I am unsure how to use it. Also, when evaluating the Constant, I do not get proper units. The way I have been looking at it is:
constant = (15 x 10^6 decay/s)(30,000 eV)(1.602 x 10^-19 J/eV) which gives me J/s.
I know this must be wrong, but do not know where to go from here. Any help?
 
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In determing an accumulated dose, one must account for geometric (spatial) effects, shielding (absorption) and temporal effects where the source strength is decreasing with time. Sheilding and spatial effects are somewhat dependent because the absorption reduces the dose rate at the receiver, but are independent of time unless the source is moving.

One can calculate the spatial and absorption time dependent dose rate at the receiver, then integrate over time.
 

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