Quantum-imaging detection of secondary neutrons in proton radiotherapy fields

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F61389005%3A_____%2F23%3A00579721" target="_blank" >RIV/61389005:_____/23:00579721 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/18/11/C11011" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/18/11/C11011</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/18/11/C11011" target="_blank" >10.1088/1748-0221/18/11/C11011</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Quantum-imaging detection of secondary neutrons in proton radiotherapy fields

Original language description

Secondary radiation fields encountered in proton radiotherapy environments contain different particle species produced in a broad range of energies and directions. Experimental knowledge of the composition and spectral characteristics of such complex fields is valuable for operation and protection of instruments and personnel, design and optimization of irradiations as well as planning and validation of treatment plans. The neutron component, which are produced with non-negligible yield, is in particular challenging to measure and discriminate from other radiations by conventional detectors. In order to measure in such complex fields the neutron component, both fast and thermal, we make use of the semiconductor pixel detector Timepix3 equipped with a silicon sensor and a neutron converter mask. The detector was before calibrated with well-defined neutron fields. In this work, we characterize the secondary radiation field and examine in particular the neutron component behind a large water-equivalent phantom irradiated by a 190 MeV clinical proton beam. The detected neutrons have a predominant fast neutron component. No thermal neutrons are observed in the measured data. The neutron-induced interactions in the detector are resolved in a high background with enhanced discrimination by quantum-imaging visualization, micrometer scale pattern recognition and high-resolution spectral-sensitive tracking of single particles. Detailed results are provided in wide range in terms of composition of the mixed-radiation field, total and partial fluxes and dose rates as well as particle deposited dose and linear-energy-transfer (LET) spectra.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10301 - Atomic, molecular and chemical physics (physics of atoms and molecules including collision, interaction with radiation, magnetic resonances, Mössbauer effect)

Project

—

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2023

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Journal of Instrumentation

ISSN

1748-0221

e-ISSN

1748-0221

Volume of the periodical

18

Issue of the periodical within the volume

11

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

11

Pages from-to

C11011

UT code for WoS article

001108176700003

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85178085625