Electrons secondary from high energy radiation

DEPTH PROFILE. The secondary electrons produced by ionization processes from an incident beam of high-energy electrons are randomly directed in space. Spatial "equilibrium" is achieved only after a minimum distance from the surface of a polymer in contact with a vacuum or gaseous environment (of much lower density). Consequently, the absorbed radiation dose increases to a maximum at a distance from the surface (2 mm for 1 MeV electrons) which depends on the energy of the electrons. The energy deposition then decreases towards zero at a limiting penetration depth. 

Electron beam processors generate two types of ionizing radiation their primary product is high-energy electrons, and their secondary product is x-rays resulting from their interaction with matter. The ionizing radiation is damaging because of its capability of penetration into the human body. 

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