Learning outcomes

This lesson gives an overview of different type of interactions between radiations and matter. Radiations can be electromagnetic radiations or energetic particles. The matter is considered under its inert or biological form. The applications discussed in this lesson are related to particle detection (gamma rays and neutrons), the study of certain detectors associated to more fundamental physics, as well as medical diagnoses and cancer treatments using radiations.  

 

Content

First part: Interaction radiation – inert matter (J. Colaux)

  1. Interaction of charged particles in matter
  2. Interaction of neutral particles in matter
  3. Radiation detectors
  4. Examples


Second part: Interaction radiation – biological matter (S.Lucas)

  1. Introduction to radiation sources
  2. Interaction of ionizing radiation (photons, charged particles, electrons, neutrons, …) with biological matter at different levels (molecules, cells, tissues, entire organism)
  3. Biomedical applications of radiations (medical imaging, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, sterilization, ...)
  4. Control and radioprotection


Practical works are associated to each part.

 

Table of contents

Inert part (J. Colaux)

Chapter 1: Interaction of charged particles in matter

Chapter 2: Interaction of neutral particles in matter

Chapter 3: Radiation detectors

Chapter 4: Examples


Biological part (S. Lucas)

Chapter 1: Introduction to radiation sources:

Chapter 2: Interaction of ionizing radiation (photons, charged particles, electrons, neutrons, …) with biological matter at different levels (molecules, cells, tissues, entire organism)

Chapter 3: Biomedical applications of radiations (medical imaging, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, sterilization, ...)

Chapter 4: Control and radioprotection

 

Exercices

Inert part (C. Stasser / J. Colaux, 15h-7h30)

Chapter 1: Interaction of charged particles in matter

Chapter 2: Interaction of neutral particles in matter

Chapter 3: Radiation detectors

Chapter 4: Examples

Biological part (S. Penninckx/ S. Lucas)

Chapter 1: Introduction to radiation sources:

Chapter 2: Interaction of ionizing radiation (photons, charged particles, electrons, neutrons, …) with biological matter at different levels (molecules, cells, tissues, entire organism)

Chapter 3: Biomedical applications of radiations (medical imaging, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, sterilization, ...)

Chapter 4: Control and radioprotection

 

Teaching methods

Ex cathedra course.

Assessment method

For the part of the course taught by J. Colaux, assessment includes a written exam during the exam session and a lab report to be submitted before the exam. The final grade for this part will be the average of the lab report and the written exam grades.

For the part taught by S. Lucas, assessment consists of a written exam during the exam session.

The final grade for the course will be the average of the grades obtained in both parts.

Please note that attendance at the lab sessions is mandatory. In case of absence, students must provide a medical certificate to the administrative office and to the teachers no later than the day following the missed session. Without a valid justification, the student will not be eligible to receive a final grade for the course.

Sources, references and any support material

Introduction to experimental particle physics, RICHARD C. FERNOW

Principles of radiation interaction in matter and detection, Claude Leroy and Pier-Giorgio Rancoita

 

Language of instruction

French