Real-time dosimetry of ultrahigh dose-rate x-ray beams using scintillation detectors
Shahirah Shaharuddin, Alexander Hart, Daniel Cecchi, Magdalena Bazalova‐Carter, Mark Foley
Abstract
FLASH radiation therapy using an ultrahigh dose-rate beam is found to eradicate tumours whilst significantly reducing radiation-induced tissue toxicity. A real-time dosimetry system is required for the technique to be implemented clinically and for further preclinical studies. This study aimed to optimize the design of scintillating detectors using inorganic materials for real-time dosimetry in ultrahigh dose-rate radiation applications. Inorganic scintillator detectors were fabricated using phosphor-based scintillating materials (Gd <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> O <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> S:Tb, La <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> O <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> S:Tb, and La <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> O <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> S:Eu) coupled with optical fibers. The initial results in ultrahigh dose-rate x-ray irradiation showed excellent linearity with signal independent of the dose rate and dose delivered. A hyperspectral approach is adopted in this study to account for the stem effect that occurs within the high energy typically used in radiotherapy.