What does LET stand for in the context of radiation?

Linear energy transfer (LET) is a crucial concept in radiation physics that describes the energy deposited by ionizing radiation as it travels through matter. Specifically, it quantifies the amount of energy transferred per unit length of the material that the radiation passes through. This measurement is vital in understanding how different types of radiation interact with biological tissues, as higher LET radiation, such as alpha particles, deposits more energy over a shorter distance compared to lower LET radiation, such as gamma rays or beta particles.

Understanding LET is essential for evaluating the biological effects of radiation exposure, as tissues respond differently based on the type of radiation and its energy transfer characteristics. For instance, high LET radiation can cause more significant biological damage because it may create more ionization events within a given area of tissue, leading to greater potential harm, such as DNA damage.

The other definitions presented in the options do not accurately capture the established concept associated with radiation. Low energy threshold does not relate to the transfer of energy in the same context, while linear exposure time and low energy transmission also fail to represent the concept of energy transfer within materials as accurately as linear energy transfer does.