Re: Radiation weighting factor for neutrons

[Scott Schwahn <schwahn@jlab.org>]

Wes Van Pelt wrote:

> This would explain why the DOSE (ergs/g) is lower at higher energy neutrons, but
> not why the WEIGHTING FACTOR is lower.
>
> Perhaps I am missing something?

No, you're sharp as a tack.  My main point was lost in the details of my poorly
worded response and also due to my assumptions.  The main point I was trying to make
was that the reactions types change with increasing energy, in this case, to a
not-as-biologically-damaging set of mechanisms.  However, I am used to working with
the conversion from neutron flux (neutrons/cm2) to dose equivalent (Sv), not the
radiation weighting factor (Sv/Gy).  The latter is too much for me to quickly think
about at the moment, so I will bow out of the discussion.

Sorry for the confusion I caused.
Scott


--
Scott O. Schwahn, CHP
Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility
schwahn@jlab.org


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