In this study, the angular sensitivity of the MatriXX detector array (IBA Dosimetry) was investigated for the purpose of applying corrections to the measured dose distribution to increase the precision of plan verification with intensity modulation. The MatriXX detector in combination with the MultiCube phantom was irradiated on a medical linear accelerator with different gantry positions. The measured dose distribution for each irradiated angle was processed in Python 3 and compared with the reference dose. The reference dose distribution in corresponding geometry was determined by calculation in the Monaco 5.10 planning system (Elekta). The sets of correction coefficients as functions of the accelerator gantry angle were created for the angular coefficients of the MatriXX detectors array. The angular MatriXX dependence was statistically analyzed; it was decided to use a universal correction coefficient for each row of detectors, except the angles within the ranges $$90^{\circ}{-}95^{\circ}$$ and $$265^{\circ}{-}270^{\circ}$$ , where a unique coefficient was applied for each detector. The application of the developed correction factors taking into account the angular sensitivity of the detectors provided the ability to improve the precision of measurements and thereby obtain better results in the verification of dosimetric plans compared to the measurements, where the angular sensitivity of detectors was neglected.

A review of the experiments performed to date and calculations on the study of doses from secondary neutrons during the operation of medical electron accelerators of various manufacturers is presented. The fundamental differences between the heads of the three largest manufacturers (Varian, Elekta, and Siemens) are given. This article contains data on flux densities and doses for different accelerator models and operating modes. The data analysis showed that the dose from secondary neutrons when irradiating patients on a linear medical accelerator with bremsstrahlung should be taken into account, since its contribution can reach 2.04% at a maximum energy of up to 24 MeV. The contribution to the absorbed dose of secondary neutron fluxes must be evaluated when planning radiation therapy; all other things being equal, it is also necessary to choose modes of operation with the lowest rated energy for treating patients.

The present review article describes the role of radiation technologies in various realms of human activities, including fundamental science, industry, agriculture, and medicine. The development of radiation technologies in the world and in Russia is compared. The total number of ionizing-radiation sources in the world is approximately 11 million units, most of them being radioactive sources (about six to seven million units) and x-ray facilities (about four million units). The number of high-technology facilities (such as accelerators and tomography units of various types) that employ ionizing radiation does not exceed 200 thousand units. In Russia, there are more than 153 thousand units of such instruments and facilities. They include about 64700 units employing x-ray radiation; about 79700 radioisotope devices and setups, reactors, and radioactive-waste storage facilities; and 471 accelerators. The most promising lines of development of radiation technologies in Russia are analyzed from the strategic and economic points of view.

This review provides information on total body irradiation (TBI), including the history of the development of the method, a brief description of the classical dose delivery methods, and the main difficulties of it's using. Recent years, TBI based on IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) has been increasingly used. It is assumed that the toxicity of therapy decreases without an increasing of relapse probability. Using IMRT for TBI also allows to unify dose distribution within patients and, most importantly, provides us clear quantitative criteria necessary for assessing the clinical efficiency and toxicity of different regimens of therapy. Some radiobiological issues of TBI concerning the dose rate, skin irradiation necessity and the uniformity of circulating blood irradiation are also discussed.

The excitation cross sections of 180mTa are measured for the first time via positron–K-electron annihilation with a limit energy of 0.653 MeV. Effective cross sections σeff (180gTa) are found to be (3.9 ± 0.8) × 10−29 cm2. The differential cross section is estimated from the effective cross section and agrees qualitatively with theoretical calculations for E1 transitions.

The Department of Accelerator Physics and Radiation Medicine of Moscow State University’s Faculty of Physics conducts experiments on the radiation processing of food products and the development of a new technology for the combined sterilization of bone implants, based on the joint action of different sterilizing factors (radiation and sterilization) in a gaseous medium. Radiation processing of potato tubers and bone implants is performed using accelerated electron beams with energies of 1 MeV. The results from experimental investigations along these lines are presented.

The paper describes the role of radionuclide technologies among the nuclear-physical methods used in medicine. The condition and prospects of the development of nuclear technology with use of radionuclides in medicine, and in particular, the method of brachytherapy are analyzed. The analysis of the current state of applying radionuclide facilities in medicine is provided.

Методический отдел МЕТОДИЧЕСКИЙ ОТДЕЛ УДК 539.1.06ПОДГОТОВКА МЕДИЦИНСКИХ ФИЗИКОВ ДЛЯ КЛИНИЧЕСКИХ БАЗ В МОСКОВСКОМ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОМ УНИВЕРСИТЕТЕ ИМЕНИ М. В. ЛОМОНОСОВА А. П. Черняев 1 , У. А. Близнюк 2 , П