Abstract
THE use of large masses of radium in beam of therapy necessitates the provision of adequate protection. At the same time, the actual container should be as small as possible if the radium is to be used efficiently, particularly in inaccessible positions. Absorption of the harmful y-radiation by metals is directly proportional to their density, and for this reason a smaller container, or bomb, can be used if it is made of a metal of high density. The bomb and nose-piece, to give the necessary protection, weigh 50-100 Ib. and have usually been made of lead, which has a density of 11-35 gm./c.c. The o actual nose-piece has sometimes been made of gold, but this metal is too expensive to be used for the bomb itself.
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Smithells, C. A New Alloy of High Density. Nature 139, 490–491 (1937). https://doi.org/10.1038/139490a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/139490a0
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