PNNL

Abstract

Energy loss and energy straggling of energetic ions through natural dehydrated biological samples were investigated using transmission technique. Biological samples (onion membrane, egg coat and tomato coat) with different mass thickness were studied, together with mylar for comparison, in this work. The energy loss and energy straggling of MeV H and He ions after penetrating from the biological and mylar samples were measured. The experimental results show that the average energy losses of MeV ions through the biological samples are consistent with SRIM predictions, however, large deviation in energy straggling is observed between the measured result and the SRIM predictions. Taking into account inhomogeneity in mass density and structure of the biological sample, an energy straggling formula is suggested, and the experimental energy straggling values are well predicated by the proposed formula.