Radiation weighting factor

The quantity radiation weighting factor (wR) expresses the biological effectiveness (RBE) of radiation for producing stochastic effects. The corresponding unit is sievert (Sv) per becquerel (Bq). The radiation weighting factor is used in the conversion from absorbed dose (D) to equivalent dose (H).

radiation type    energy (MeV)   wR (Sv·Bq-1)
photon 1
electron 1
neutron < 1 2.5 - 22
1 - 50 22 - 5.5
> 50 5.5 - 2.5
proton 2
heavy particle 20

Related quantities

  • absorbed dose
  • ambient dose equivalent
  • collective effective dose
  • committed effective dose
  • committed equivalent dose
  • directional dose equivalent
  • effective dose
  • equivalent dose
  • exposure
  • irradiation geometry
  • kerma
  • personal dose equivalent
  • tissue weighting factor

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