Features of PABIGnx 3D Polymer Gel as an Ionising Radiation Dosimeter.

ABSTRACT

This work presents the features of the PABIGnx 3D polymer gel dosimeter. It consists of two cross-linkers poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), as one biacrylic component, and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA), which is another cross-linker often used in 3D dosimeters. Additionally, it contains oxygen scavenges of copper sulfate pentahydrate and ascorbic acid. All ingredients are embedded in a physical gel matrix of gelatine. Upon irradiation, the biacrylic cross-linking agents (PEGDA and MBA) undergo radical polymerisation and cross-linking, which is manifested by the appearance of the opacity of the intensity related to the absorbed dose. PABIGnx was irradiated with an oncological source of ionising radiation, and analysed by using a nuclear magnetic resonance (0.5 T). The following characteristics were obtained (i) linear and dynamic dose-response of 0.5 to ~18 Gy and 40 Gy, respectively, (ii) dose sensitivity of 0.071 ± 0.001 Gy-1 s-1, (iii) integral 3D dose distribution for at least 24 days after irradiation, (iv) adequate batch-to-batch reproducibility, (v) dose-response independent of irradiation with 6 MV photons, 15 MV photons, 6 MV photons FFF of 0.0168-0.1094 Gy/s dose rates, and (vi) soft tissue equivalence. The study showed that the features of PABIGnx confirm its suitability for use in 3D radiotherapy dosimetry.