Study of suitability of Fricke-gel-layer dosimeters for in-air measurements to characterise epithermal/thermal neutron beams for NCT.

The reliability of Fricke gel dosimeters in form of layers for measurements aimed at the characterization of epithermal neutron beams has been studied. By means of dosimeters of different isotopic composition (standard, containing (10)B or prepared with heavy water) placed against the collimator exit, the spatial distribution of gamma and fast neutron doses and of thermal neutron fluence are attained. In order to investigate the accuracy of the results obtained with in-air measurements, suitable MC simulations have been developed and experimental measurements have been performed utilizing Fricke gel dosimeters, thermoluminescence detectors and activation foils. The studies were related to the epithermal beam designed for BNCT irradiations at the research reactor LVR-15 (Rez). The results of calculation and measurements have revealed good consistency of gamma dose and fast neutron 2D distributions obtained with gel dosimeters in form of layers. In contrast, noticeable modification of thermal neutron fluence is caused by the neutron moderation produced by the dosimeter material. Fricke gel dosimeters in thin cylinders, with diameter not greater than 3mm, have proved to give good results for thermal neutron profiling. For greater accuracy of all results, a better knowledge of the dependence of gel dosimeter sensitivity on radiation LET is needed.

Measurements of 2D distributions of absorbed dose in protontherapy with Gafchromic EBT3 films.

A study of the response of EBT3 films to protons has been carried out with the aim of finding a simple modality to achieve dose images in which the effect of the film sensitivity dependence on radiation LET is amended. Light transmittance images (around 630 nm) were acquired by means of a CCD camera and the difference of optical density was assumed as dosimeter response. The calibration of EBT3 film was performed by means of protons of 173.61 MeV. Some EBT3 films were exposed, in a solid-water phantom, to proton beams of three different energies (89.17 MeV, 110.96 MeV and 130.57 MeV) and the obtained depth-dose profiles were compared with the calculated profiles. From the ratios of calculated and measured Bragg peaks, a trend of the decrease in EBT3 sensitivity with increasing peak depth has been deduced. A method for correcting the data measured with EBT3 films, utilizing the file of irradiation planning data, has been proposed and tested. The results confirm that the method can be advantageously applied for obtaining spatial distribution of the absorbed dose in proton therapy.

Instrumentation for diagnostics and control of laser-accelerated proton (ion) beams.

Suitable instrumentation for laser-accelerated proton (ion) beams is critical for development of integrated, laser-driven ion accelerator systems. Instrumentation aimed at beam diagnostics and control must be applied to the driving laser pulse, the laser-plasma that forms at the target and the emergent proton (ion) bunch in a correlated way to develop these novel accelerators. This report is a brief overview of established diagnostic techniques and new developments based on material presented at the first workshop on 'Instrumentation for Diagnostics and Control of Laser-accelerated Proton (Ion) Beams' in Abingdon, UK. It includes radiochromic film (RCF), image plates (IP), micro-channel plates (MCP), Thomson spectrometers, prompt inline scintillators, time and space-resolved interferometry (TASRI) and nuclear activation schemes. Repetition-rated instrumentation requirements for target metrology are also addressed.