A simple approximation formula for the electron current density distribution in the irradiation field of an electron accelerator was found as a function of the physical parameters concerning irradiation. Calculation is based on the mean squared scattering angle derived from the simple multiple scattering theory, in which scattering in the beam window and air, electron transmission coefficient and beam scanning are taken into consideration.
The electron current density was measured by the method of charge absorption in a graphite absorber set in air. Except at large scattering angles, the calculated values agree with the experimental values within about 10% for calculated mean squared scattering angles of 0.089-0.29.
Periodic variation of the current density of scanning beam and the application of this formula to dose evaluation are also described