A practical method for calculation of the linear energy transfers and ranges of low-energy electrons in different chemical systems

In this study, Bethe's relativistic stopping power equation has been modified to apply to the calculation of the linear energy transfers (LET values) and ranges of low-energy electrons. We postulated that the stopping power of a given chemical system to thermal-energy electrons must be practically equal to zero. Starting from this postulate we introduced a correction factor to the dividend of the logarithmic term of Bethe's equation. In addition, we redefined the parameter n, to ensure its adaptation to absorbing media consisting of a chemical compound or mixture. In this way, the total LET values and the most probable ranges of low-energy electrons in water, iodobenzene, air, methane, tissue-equivalent material, and rare gases were calculated, and the results obtained were compared with the values in the literature. (orig.)