Further Development of the Variance-Covariance Method

Applications of the variance-covariance technique are presented
that illustrate the potential of the method. The dose mean lineal
energy, yD, can be determined in time-varying radiation fields
where the fluctuations of the dose rate are substantially in excess
of the stochastic fluctuations of the energy imparted. An added
advantage is, that yD is little influenced by noise that affects
both detectors simultaneously. The variance-covariance method is
thus stable with respect to dose rate fluctuations and other
temporal variations of a radiation field, and to various influences
of noise and electronic artefacts. The dose mean lineal energy
obtained at different simulated diameters agrees well with
experimental data by other authors and can be determined for small
simulated diameters (below 100 nm).