Quantum-imaging detection of secondary neutrons in proton radiotherapy fields

0579721 - ÚJF 2024 RIV GB eng J - Článek v odborném periodiku
Granja, C. - Davídková, Marie - Vilímovský, J. - Vondráček, V.
Quantum-imaging detection of secondary neutrons in proton radiotherapy fields.
Journal of Instrumentation. Roč. 18, č. 11 (2023), č. článku C11011. ISSN 1748-0221. E-ISSN 1748-0221
Institucionální podpora: RVO:61389005
Klíčová slova: Neutron detectors (cold thermal fast neutrons) * Particle tracking detectors * Dosimetry concepts and apparatus * Instrumentation for hadron therapy
Obor OECD: Atomic, molecular and chemical physics (physics of atoms and molecules including collision, interaction with radiation, magnetic resonances, Mössbauer effect)
Impakt faktor: 1.3, rok: 2022
Způsob publikování: Omezený přístup
https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/18/11/C11011

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.
Trvalý link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0348520