Study of a X-ray laser-plasma source for radiobiological experiments: microdosimetry analysis and plasma characterisation

A soft X-ray laser-plasma source, used in radiobiology experiments with yea st cells: was characterised with flat crystal spectrometers and P-I-N diode s, obtaining an absolute measurement of the emission spectrum. A comparison with the results of simulations performed with the code RATION allowed the characterisation of the emitting plasma. A model for the energy deposition in yeast cells was developed to take into account the different cell struc tures (wall-membrane complex, cytoplasm and nucleus). Dose calculations per formed considering the source emission spectrum were compared with direct m easurements of transmission through plastic foils and allowed to verify the hypothesis of preferential dose deposition in the outer cellular regions.