The problem of tissue equivalence in negative pion dosimetry

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Abstract
In radiotherapy the accuracy of the treatment dose should be better than 5%. On the basis of the calculation presented, the inherent accuracy of pion dosimetry using the common tissue-equivalent materials mentioned is unacceptable. This obviously points to the need for the development of tissue-equivalent material specifically for pions and, in particular, materials that can be used in the construction of dose-measuring instruments. Until such materials become available the accuracy of pion dosimetry could be maximised by making appropriate corrections, based on simulation techniques, or by the careful choice of available tissue-equivalent materials. Under no circumstances can the use of A-150 plastic tissue-equivalent ionisation chambers be justified.