Determination of RBE of X-rays by a novel quasi-monochromatic X-ray source.

In the last years, there were several reports about the enhanced risk from irradiation with soft X-rays (below 50 keV). This energy range is relevant for diagnostic radiology, such as mammography, radiotherapy, and for the application of novel radiotherapy approaches such as use of miniature X-ray devices. In order to study this phenomenon, the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of the X-rays in this energy range has to be determined more precisely. Experiments for determination of biological response after conventional X-ray tube irradiation were performed at TU Dresden. Cell survival for NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblasts was measured for soft X-rays (25 kV) and reference X-rays (200 kV). RBE value of 1.28 ± 0.5 was determined from the linear-quadratic model fit at 10% survival level. Further endpoint to be studied is the formation of micronuclei. At present, experiments are performed on human keratinocytes and chinese hamster fibroblasts. However, the precise determination of the energy dependence of RBE has to be performed by means of irradiation with a monochromatic source. One of the applications of the superconducting electron linear accelerator ELBE, at present under construction at Forschungscentrum Rossendorf, will be to provide such X-rays. The first cell irradiation will be performed with X-rays in the range 10 - 50 keV generated by channeling radiation from relativistic electrons in a diamond crystal. The properties of the electron beam (picosecond structure) as well as the intrinsic energy and intensity distribution of the channeling radiation require consideration of precise dose delivery and monitoring, the results of which will be also presented.