Which type of radiation interaction is used in radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy primarily utilizes both Compton scattering and the photoelectric effect to effectively target and treat cancer cells.

Compton scattering is significant in radiation therapy as it involves the interaction of X-ray or gamma-ray photons with matter, resulting in the scattering of photons with a decrease in energy. This interaction allows for the dose of radiation to be spread throughout the tissue, affecting both cancer cells and surrounding normal cells. The ability to control the scattering process helps in maximizing the therapeutic effect while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.

The photoelectric effect, on the other hand, occurs when a photon is fully absorbed by an atom, leading to the ejection of an inner-shell electron. This interaction is particularly beneficial in radiation therapy since it can result in high localized energy deposition, which is effective in destroying tumor cells. The photoelectric effect tends to predominate at lower energy levels of radiation, which are often utilized in radiation treatments.

By combining both of these interactions, radiation therapy can be tailored to deliver optimal radiation doses to tumors while controlling side effects, thus reflecting the relevance of both Compton scattering and the photoelectric effect in treatment applications.