This textbook summarizes the basic knowledge of atomic nuclear and radiation physics that
professionals working in medical physics and biomedical engineering need for efficient and safe
use of ionizing radiation in medicine. Concentrating on the underlying principles of radiation
physics the textbook covers the prerequisite knowledge for medical physics courses on the
graduate and post-graduate levels in radiotherapy physics radiation dosimetry imaging physics
and health physics thus providing the link between elementary undergraduate physics and the
intricacies of four medical physics specialties: diagnostic radiology physics nuclear medicine
physics radiation oncology physics and health physics. To recognize the importance of
radiation dosimetry to medical physics three new chapters have been added to the 14 chapters of
the previous edition. Chapter 15 provides a general introduction to radiation dosimetry.
Chapter 16 deals with absolute radiation dosimetry systems that establish absorbed dose or some
other dose related quantity directly from the signal measured by the dosimeter. Three absolute
dosimetry techniques are known and described in detail: (i) calorimetric (ii) chemical
(Fricke) and (iii) ionometric. Chapter 17 deals with relative radiation dosimetry systems that
rely on a previous dosimeter calibration in a known radiation field. Many relative radiation
dosimetry systems have been developed to date and four most important categories used routinely
in medicine and radiation protection are described in this chapter: (i) Ionometric dosimetry
(ii) Luminescence dosimetry (iii) Semiconductor dosimetry and (iv) Film dosimetry. The book
is intended as a textbook for a radiation physics course in academic medical physics graduate
programs as well as a reference book for candidates preparing for certification examinations in
medical physics sub-specialties. It may also be of interest to many professionals not only
physicists who in their daily occupations deal with various aspects of medical physics or
radiation physics and have a need or desire to improve their understanding of radiation
physics.
