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Gamma-rays

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Gamma-rays are used as a type of megavoltage irradiation, with cobolt 60, a radioactive isotope of cobolt 59, being the principle source in medicine.

The source requires replacement every 3 years, and during its useful life it produces a 1.2 MeV beam.

Caesium 137 is used in a similar way in other units.

Gamma rays are a result of nuclear decay, where binding energy is emitted as electromagnetic radiation.

The peak intensity of the radiation is at a depth of 5mm, after which there is decay. The surface gets 50% of maximum intensity dose.

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