quality factor
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qual·i·ty fac·tor (QF),
a factor by which absorbed radiation doses are multiplied to obtain, for radiation protection purposes, a quantity that expresses the approximate biologic effectiveness of the absorbed dose. Compare: RBE, relative biologic effectiveness.
qual·i·ty fac·tor
(kwah'li-tē fak'tŏr)Used in radiation protection to account for the differences in the biologic effects from various types of radiation.
quality factor
Abbreviation: QIn radiology, a scale used to account for the biological effects of different radiations. Factors include beta, electron, and gamma x-radiation (Q = 1), thermal neutrons (Q = 5), and alpha neutrons and protons (Q = 20).
See also: factor