Experimental investigations of the response of films to heavy-ion irradiation

The response of films to heavy-ion irradiation was investigated systematica lly by recording dose-response curves for protons and carbon ions in an ene rgy range of 8-430 MeV u(-1). In order to allow for an objective comparison of different experimental results, a practicable method was developed to d ecouple the value of the net optical density from the film's processing con ditions and a precise definition of the film response was deduced. A qualit ative explanation of the strong variation of the film response depending on particle type and energy is given, based on the particle's track structure . The data presented here form the basis for using films for dosimetry in m ixed particle radiation fields and their application in the heavy-ion thera py project at GSI, Darmstadt.