The physics of Cerenkov light production during proton therapy.
Phys Med Biol
; 59(23): 7107-23, 2014 Dec 07.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25365447
ABSTRACT
There is increasing interest in using Cerenkov emissions for quality assurance and in vivo dosimetry in photon and electron therapy. Here, we investigate the production of Cerenkov light during proton therapy and its potential applications in proton therapy. A primary proton beam does not have sufficient energy to generate Cerenkov emissions directly, but we have demonstrated two mechanisms by which such emissions may occur indirectly (1) a fast component from fast electrons liberated by prompt gamma (99.13%) and neutron (0.87%) emission; and (2) a slow component from the decay of radioactive positron emitters. The fast component is linear with dose and doserate but carries little spatial information; the slow component is non-linear but may be localised. The properties of the two types of emission are explored using Monte Carlo modelling in GEANT4 with some experimental verification. We propose that Cerenkov emissions could contribute to the visual sensation reported by some patients undergoing proton therapy of the eye and we discuss the feasibility of some potential applications of Cerenkov imaging in proton therapy.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Radiometría
/
Algoritmos
/
Terapia de Protones
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Phys Med Biol
Año:
2014
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Reino Unido