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At least 883 records · Page 49
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Arrays of Position-Sensitive Virtual Frisch-Grid CdZnTe Detectors: Results From a $4\times 4$ Array Prototype

Position-sensitive virtual Frisch-grid (VFG) CdZnTe (CZT) detectors offer a unique capability for correcting the response nonuniformities caused by crystal defects. This allowed us to achieve high energy resolution, while using typical-grade commercial CZT crystals with relaxed requirements to their quality, thus reducing the overall cost of detectors. Another advantage of the VFG detectors is that they can be integrated into arrays and used in small compact hand-held instruments or large-area gamma cameras that will enhance detection capability for many practical applications, including nonproliferation, medical imaging, and gamma-ray astronomy. Here in this paper, we present the results from testing small array prototypes coupled with front-end application-specified integrated circuit. Each detector in the array is furnished with 5-mm-wide charge-sensing pads placed near the anode. The pads signals are converted into XY coordinates, which combined with the cathode signals (for Z coordinates) provide 3-D position information of all interaction points. The basic array consists of a number of detectors grouped into 2×2 subarrays, each having a common cathode made by connecting together the cathodes of the individual detectors. Lastly, these features can significantly improve the performance of detectors while using typical-grade low-cost CZT crystals to reduce the overall cost of the proposed instrument.

3-D position-sensitive virtual Frisch-grid (VFG) d↗
DOE OSTI2016

Performance Evaluation of Spectroscopic Detectors for LEU Hold-up Measurements

The hold-up measurement of low-enriched uranium materials may require use of alternate detector types relative to the measurement of highly enriched uranium. This is in part due to the difference in process scale (i.e., the components are generally larger for low-enriched uranium systems), but also because the characteristic gamma-ray lines from 235 U used for assay of highly enriched uranium will be present at a much reduced intensity (on a per gram of uranium basis) at lower enrichments. Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory examined the performance of several standard detector types, e.g., NaI(Tl), LaBr3(Ce), and HPGe, to select a suitable candidate for measuring and quantifying low-enriched uranium hold-up in process pipes and equipment at the Portsmouth gaseous diffusion plant. Detector characteristics, such as energy resolution (full width at half maximum) and net peak count rates at gamma ray energies spanning a range of 60–1332 keV, were measured for the above-mentioned detector types using the same sources and in the same geometry. Uranium enrichment standards (Certified Reference Material no. 969 and Certified Reference Material no. 146) were measured using each of the detector candidates in the same geometry. The net count rates recorded by each detector at 186 keV and 1,001 keV were plotted as a function of enrichment (atom percentage). Background measurements were made in unshielded and shielded configurations under both ambient and elevated conditions of 238 U activity. The highly enriched uranium hold-up measurement campaign at the Portsmouth plant was performed on process equipment that had been cleaned out. Therefore, in most cases, the thickness of the uranium deposits was less than the “infinite thickness” for the 186 keV gamma rays to be completely self-attenuated. Because of this, in addition to measuring the 186 keV gamma, the 1,001 keV gamma ray from 234m Pa—a daughter of 238 U in secular equilibrium with its parent—will also need to be measured. Based on the performance criteria of detection efficiency, energy resolution, peak-to-continuum ratios, minimum detectable limits, and the weight of the shielded probe, a shielded (0.5 in. thick lead shield) 2 × 2 in. NaI(Tl) detector is recommended for use. The recommended approach is to carry out analysis using data from both 186 keV and 1,001 keV gamma rays, and select a best result based on propagated uncertainty estimates. It is also highly recommended that a two-point gain stabilization scheme based on an 241 Am seed embedded in the probe be implemented. Shielding configurations to reduce the impact of background interference on the measurement of 1,001 keV gamma-ray are discussed.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

BICEP Array: 150 GHz Detector Module Development

The Background Imaging of Cosmic Extragalactic Polarization (BICEP)/Keck (BK) collaboration is currently leading the quest for the highest-sensitivity measurements of the polarized cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropies on a degree scale with a series of cryogenic telescopes, of which BICEP Array (BA) is the latest Stage-3 upgrade with a total of ~ 32,000 detectors. The instrument comprises 4 receivers spanning 30–270 GHz, with the low-frequency 30/40 GHz deployed to the South Pole Station in late 2019. The full complement of receivers is forecast to set the most stringent constraints on the tensor-to-scalar ratio r. Building on these advances, the overarching small-aperture telescope concept is already being used as the reference for further Stage-4 experiment design. This paper describes the development of the BICEP Array 150 GHz detector module and its fabrication requirements, with highlights on the high-density time division multiplexing (TDM) design of the cryogenic circuit boards. The low-impedance wiring required between the detectors and the frst stage of superconducting quantum interference device amplifers is crucial to maintaining a stable bias current on the detectors. Here, a novel multilayer FR4 Printed Circuit Board with superconducting traces, capable of reading out up to 648 detectors, is detailed along with its validation tests. An ultra-high-density TDM detector module concept we developed for a CMB-S4-like experiment that allows up to 1920 detectors to be read out is also presented. TDM has been chosen as the detector readout technology for the Cosmic Microwave Background Stage-4 (CMB-S4) experiment based on its proven low-noise performance, predictable costs, and overall maturity of the architecture. The heritage for TDM is rooted in mm- and sub-mm-wave experiments dating back 20 years and has since evolved to support a multiplexing factor of 64x in Stage-3 experiments.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Finite time measurements by Unruh–DeWitt detector and Landauer’s principle

The model of Unruh–DeWitt detector coupled to the scalar field for finite time is studied. A systematic way of computing finite time corrections in various cases is suggested and nonperturbative effects like thermalization are discussed. It is shown in particular that adiabatic switching off the coupling between the detector and the thermal bath leaves non-vanishing corrections to the detector’s levels distribution. Considering the two level detector as an information bearing degree of freedom encoding one bit of information, limits on external work for the detector’s (de)coupling in finite time following from the Landauer’s bound are formulated. - Highlights: •We study dynamics of Unruh–DeWitt detector switched on for finite time. • A new renormalization procedure is proposed. • Temperature measurements get universal finite time corrections in weak coupling limit. • Even adiabatically slow switching off the detector leaves non-vanishing traces in it. • Landauer’s bound governs the amount of work used to switch the detector on and off.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

A likelihood ratio anomaly detector for identifying within-perimeter computer network attacks

The rapid detection of attackers within firewalls of enterprise computer networks is of paramount importance. Anomaly detectors address this problem by quantifying deviations from baseline statistical models of normal network behavior and signaling an intrusion when the observed data deviates significantly from the baseline model. But, many anomaly detectors do not take into account plausible attacker behavior. As a result, anomaly detectors are prone to a large number of false positives due to unusual but benign activity. Our paper first introduces a stochastic model of attacker behavior which is motivated by real world attacker traversal. Then, we develop a likelihood ratio detector that compares the probability of observed network behavior under normal conditions against the case when an attacker has possibly compromised a subset of hosts within the network. Since the likelihood ratio detector requires integrating over the time each host becomes compromised, we illustrate how to use Monte Carlo methods to compute the requisite integral. We then present Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves for various network parameterizations that show for any rate of true positives, the rate of false positives for the likelihood ratio detector is no higher than that of a simple anomaly detector and is often lower. Finally, we demonstrate the superiority of the proposed likelihood ratio detector when the network topologies and parameterizations are extracted from real-world networks.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2019

Application of deconvolution to recover frequency-domain multiplexed detector pulses

Multiplexing of radiation detectors reduces the number of readout channels, which in turn reduces the number of digitizer input channels for data acquisition. We recently demonstrated frequency domain multiplexing (FDM) of pulse mode radiation detectors using a resonator that converts the detector signal into a damped sinusoid by convolution. The detectors were given unique “tags” by the oscillation frequency of each resonator. The charge collected and the time-of-arrival of the detector pulse were estimated from the corresponding resonator output in the frequency domain. In this paper, we demonstrate a new method to recover the detector pulse from the damped sinusoidal output by deconvolution. Deconvolution converts the frequency-encoded detector signal back to the original detector pulse. We have developed a new prototype FDM system to multiplex organic scintillators based on convolution and deconvolution. Using the new prototype, the charge collected under the anode pulse can be estimated from the recovered pulse with an uncertainty of about 4.4 keVee (keV electron equivalent). The time-of-arrival can be estimated from the recovered pulse with an uncertainty of about 102 ps. We also used a CeBr3 inorganic scintillator to measure the Cs-137 gamma spectrum using the recovered pulses and found a standard deviation of 13.8 keV at 662 keV compared to a standard deviation of 13.5 keV when the original pulses were used. Coincidence measurements with Na-22 using the deconvolved pulses resulted in a timing uncertainty of 617 ps compared to an uncertainty of 603 ps using the original pulses. Pulse shape discrimination was also performed using Cf-252 source and EJ-309 organic scintillator pulses recovered by deconvolution. In conclusion, a figure of merit value of 1.08 was observed when the recovered pulses were used compared to 1.2 for the original pulses.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

3x3 array module of 8×8×32 mm 3 position-sensitive virtual frisch-grid CdZnTe detectors for imaging and spectroscopy of cosmic gamma-rays

Here, we evaluated the performance of the 3x3 array of 32-mm long position-sensitive virtual Frisch-grid (VFG) CdZnTe (CZT) detectors read out by the IDEAS GDS-100 data acquisition system. The array is a mechanically solid module designed for integration into a large effective area gamma-ray telescope proposed for imaging and spectroscopy of cosmic gamma-rays. The array employs the bar-shaped 8x8x32 mm 3 CZT crystals which recently became available from Redlen Technologies, Inc. and Kromek-eV Group PLC at affordable costs. The waveform sampling IDE3421 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), developed by the University of Michigan and IDEAS for CZT pixel detectors, was adapted to capture the signals from the array's VFG detectors. We showed good spectral performance of the Redlen detectors with an energy resolution of <1% FWHM at 662 keV and slightly poorer performance of the Kromek-eV detectors with a resolution of <2% measured at a reduced temperature of 13 °C. By testing the same detectors as single devices using hybrid charge-sensitive preamplifiers, we demonstrated improved energy resolutions at a normal temperature of ~25°C: <1% and 1.3-1.7%, respectively. However, the Kromek-eV detectors did not perform as well as the Redlen ones. We explained this by the space charge formation (polarization) decreasing the electric field and the electron drift times. The polarization was likely caused by the high injections of holes from the anode contacts. The absence of polarization in Redlen detectors suggested that the quality of the contacts might have played a role in this case.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Response of a high-pressure 4 He scintillation detector to nuclear recoils up to 9 MeV

Helium-4-based scintillation detector technology is emerging as a strong alternative to pulse-shape discrimination-capable organic scintillators for fast neutron detection and spectroscopy, particularly in extreme gamma-ray environments. The 4 He detector is intrinsically insensitive to gamma radiation, as it has a relatively low cross-section for gamma-ray interactions, and the stopping power of electrons in the 4 He medium is low compared to that of 4 He recoil nuclei. Consequently, gamma rays can be discriminated by simple energy deposition thresholding instead of the more complex pulse shape analysis. The energy resolution of 4 He scintillation detectors has not yet been well-characterized over a broad range of energy depositions, which limits the ability to deconvolve the source spectra. In this work, an experiment was performed to characterize the response of an Arktis S670 4 He detector to nuclear recoils up to 9 MeV. The 4 He detector was positioned in the center of a semicircular array of organic scintillation detectors operated in coincidence. Deuterium–deuterium and deuterium–tritium neutron generators provided monoenergetic neutrons, yielding geometrically constrained nuclear recoils ranging from 0.0925 to 8.87 MeV. The detector response provides evidence for scintillation linearity beyond the previously reported energy range. Finally, the measured response was used to develop an energy resolution function applicable to this energy range for use in high-fidelity detector simulations needed by future applications.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Graphene vertical hot-electron terahertz detectors

We propose and analyze the concept of the vertical hot-electron terahertz (THz) graphene-layer detectors (GLDs) based on the double-GL and multiple-GL structures with the barrier layers made of materials with a moderate conduction band off-set (such as tungsten disulfide and related materials). The operation of these detectors is enabled by the thermionic emissions from the GLs enhanced by the electrons heated by incoming THz radiation. Hence, these detectors are the hot-electron bolometric detectors. The electron heating is primarily associated with the intraband absorption (the Drude absorption). In the frame of the developed model, we calculate the responsivity and detectivity as functions of the photon energy, GL doping, and the applied voltage for the GLDs with different number of GLs. The detectors based on the cascade multiple-GL structures can exhibit a substantial photoelectric gain resulting in the elevated responsivity and detectivity. The advantages of the THz detectors under consideration are associated with their high sensitivity to the normal incident radiation and efficient operation at room temperature at the low end of the THz frequency range. Such GLDs with a metal grating, supporting the excitation of plasma oscillations in the GL-structures by the incident THz radiation, can exhibit a strong resonant response at the frequencies of several THz (in the range, where the operation of the conventional detectors based on A{sub 3}B{sub 5} materials, in particular, THz quantum-well detectors, is hindered due to a strong optical phonon radiation absorption in such materials). We also evaluate the characteristics of GLDs in the mid- and far-infrared ranges where the electron heating is due to the interband absorption in GLs.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Advanced readout methods for superheated emulsion detectors

Superheated emulsions develop visible vapor bubbles when exposed to ionizing radiation. They consist in droplets of a metastable liquid, emulsified in an inert matrix. The formation of a bubble cavity is accompanied by sound waves. Evaporated bubbles also exhibit a lower refractive index, compared to the inert gel matrix. These two physical phenomena have been exploited to count the number of evaporated bubbles and thus measure the interacting radiation flux. Systems based on piezoelectric transducers have been traditionally used to acquire the acoustic (pressure) signals generated by bubble evaporation. Such systems can operate at ambient noise levels exceeding 100 dB; however, they are affected by a significant dead time (>10 ms). An optical readout technique relying on the scattering of light by neutron-induced bubbles has been recently improved in order to minimize measurement dead time and ambient noise sensitivity. Beams of infra-red light from light-emitting diode (LED) sources cross the active area of the detector and are deflected by evaporated bubbles. The scattered light correlates with bubble density. Planar photodiodes are affixed along the detector length in optimized positions, allowing the detection of scattered light from the bubbles and minimizing the detection of direct light from the LEDs. A low-noise signal-conditioning stage has been designed and realized to amplify the current induced in the photodiodes by scattered light and to subtract the background signal due to intrinsic scattering within the detector matrix. The proposed amplification architecture maximizes the measurement signal-to-noise ratio, yielding a readout uncertainty of 6% (±1 SD), with 1000 evaporated bubbles in a detector active volume of 150 ml (6 cm detector diameter). In this work, we prove that the intensity of scattered light also relates to the bubble size, which can be controlled by applying an external pressure to the detector emulsion. This effect can be exploited during the readout procedure to minimize shadowing effects between bubbles, which become severe when the latter are several thousands. The detector we used in this work is based on superheated C-318 (octafluorocyclobutane), emulsified in 100 μm ± 10% (1 SD) diameter drops in an inert matrix of approximately 150 ml. The detector was operated at room temperature and ambient pressure.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2017

The construction of the phase-1 upgrade of the CMS pixel detector

The innermost layers of the original CMS tracker were built out of pixel detectors arranged in three barrel layers and two forward disks in each endcap. The original CMS detector was designed for the nominal instantaneous LHC luminosity of 1×10 34 cm -2 s -1 . Under the conditions expected in the coming years, which will see an increase of a factor two of the instantaneous luminosity, the CMS pixel detector would have seen a dynamic inefficiency caused by data losses due to buffer overflows. For this reason the CMS collaboration has installed a replacement pixel detector during the recent extended end of year shutdown. The phase-1 upgrade of the CMS pixel detector will operate at high efficiency at an instantaneous luminosity of 2×10 34 cm -2 s -1 with increased detector acceptance and additional redundancy for the tracking, while at the same time reducing the material budget. These goals are achieved using a new read-out chip and modified powering and read-out schemes, one additional tracking layer both in the barrel and in the disks, and new detector supports including a CO 2 based evaporative cooling system, that contribute to the reduction of the material in the tracking volume. This contribution will review the design and technological choices of the phase-1 detector.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2021

MeV-scale performance of water-based and pure liquid scintillator detectors

This paper presents studies of the performance of water-based liquid scintillators (WbLS) in both 1-kt and 50-kt detectors. In this work, performance is evaluated in comparison to both pure water Cherenkov detectors and a nominal model for pure scintillator detectors. Performance metrics include energy, vertex, and angular resolution, along with a metric for the ability to separate the Cherenkov from the scintillation signal as being representative of various particle identification capabilities that depend on the Cherenkov/scintillation ratio. We also modify the time profile of scintillation light to study the same performance metrics as a function of rise and decay time. We go on to interpret these results in terms of their impact on certain physics goals, such as solar neutrinos and the search for Majorana neutrinos. This work supports and validates previous results, and the assumptions made therein, and serves as a significant stepping stone to complete detector design studies by using a more detailed detector model and full reconstruction, with a primarily data-driven optical model, and fewer model assumptions. With this model, a high-coverage 50-kt detector achieves better than 10 (1)% precision on the flux of neutrinos from the Carbon-Nitrogen-Oxygen cycle with a water-based liquid scintillator (pure LS) target in five years of data taking. A 1-kt LS detector, with a conservative 50% fiducial volume of 0.5 kt, can achieve better than 5% detection. A liquid scintillator detector has sensitivity into the normal hierarchy region for Majorana neutrinos with half-life sensitivity of $T^{0νββ}_{1/2}$ > 1.4 × 10 28 years at 90% C.L. for 10 years of data taking with a Te-loaded target.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Development of a thin scintillation films fission-fragment detector and a novel neutron source

Here, investigation of prompt fission and neutron-capture Υ rays from fissile actinide samples at the Detector for Advanced Neutron Capture Experiments (DANCE) requires use of a fission-fragment detector to provide a trigger or a veto signal. A fission-fragment detector based on thin scintillating films and silicon photomultipliers has been built to serve as a trigger/veto detector in neutron-induced fission measurements at DANCE. The fissile material is surrounded by scintillating films providing a 4π detection of the fission fragments. The scintillations were registered with silicon photomultipliers. A measurement of the 235 U(n,f) reaction with this detector at DANCE revealed a correct time-of-flight spectrum and provided an estimate for the efficiency of the prototype detector of 11.6(7)%. Design and test measurements with the detector are described. A neutron source with fast timing has been built to help with detector-response measurements. The source is based on the neutron emission from the spontaneous fission of 252 Cf and the same type of scintillating films and silicon photomultipliers. Overall time resolution of the source is 0.3 ns. Design of the source and test measurements with it are described. An example application of the source for determining the neutron/gamma pulse-shape discrimination by a stilbene crystal is given.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-T-328: The Volume Effect Correction of Probe-Type Dosimetric Detectors Derived From the Convolution Model

Purpose: To derive and introduce a new correction factor kV, the “volume effect correction factor”, that accounts for not only the dose averaging over the detector's sensitive volume but also the secondary electron generation and transport inclusive of the disturbance of the field of secondary electrons within the detector. Materials and Methods: Mathematical convolutions and Fourier's convolution theorem have been used. Monte Carlo simulations of photon pencil beams were performed using EGSnrc. Detector constructions were adapted from manufacturers' information. Results: For the calculation of kV, the three basic convolution kernels have to be taken into account: the dose deposition kernel KD(x) (fluence to dose), the photon fluence response kernel KM(x) (photon fluence to detector signal) and the “dose response kernel” K(x) (dose to detector signal). K(x) is calculated from FT[K(x)] = [1/sqrt(2”)]FT[KM(x)]/FT[KD(x)], where the magnitude of kV(x) can be thereby calculated for arbitrary photon beam profiles and the areanormalized K(x). Conclusions: n order to take into account for the dimensions of dosimetric detectors in narrow photon beams, the “volume effect correction factor” kV has been introduced into the fundamental equation of probe-type dosimetry, and the convolution method has proven to be a method for the derivation of its numerical values. For narrow photon beams, whose width is comparable to the secondary electron ranges, kV can reach very high values, but it can be shown that the signals of small diamond detectors are well representing the absorbed dose to water averaged over the detector volume.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

TU-F-18A-05: An X-Ray Fluorescence Technique for Energy Calibration of Photon-Counting Detectors

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of energy response calibration of a Si strip photon-counting detector by using the x-ray fluorescence technique. Methods: X-ray fluorescence was generated by using a pencil beam from a tungsten anode x-ray tube with 2 mm Al filtration. Spectra were acquired at 90° from the primary beam direction with an energy-resolved photon-counting detector based on Si strips. The distances from the source to target and the target to detector were approximately 19 and 11 cm, respectively. Four different materials, containing Ag, I, Ba, and Gd, were placed in small plastic aliquots with a diameter of approximately 0.7 cm for x-ray fluorescence measurements. Linear regression analysis was performed to derive the gain and offset values for the correlation between the measured fluorescence peak center and the known energies for materials. The energy resolution was derived from the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the fluorescence peaks. In addition, the angular dependence of the recorded fluorescence spectra was studied at 30°, 60°, and 120°. Results: Strong fluorescence signals of all four target materials were recorded with the investigated geometry for the Si strip detector. The recorded pulse height was calibrated with respect to photon energy and the gain and offset values were calculated to be 7.0 mV/keV and −69.3 mV, respectively. Negligible variation in energy calibration was observed among the four energy thresholds. The variation among different pixels was estimated to be approximately 1 keV. The energy resolution of the detector was estimated to be 7.9% within the investigated energy range. Conclusion: The performance of a spectral imaging system using energy-resolved photon-counting detectors is very dependent on the energy calibration of the detector. The proposed x-ray fluorescence technique provides an accurate and efficient way to calibrate the energy response of a photon-counting detector.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

TH-C-19A-03: Characterization of the Dose Per Pulse Dependence of Various Detectors Used in Quality Assurance of FFF Treatment Plans

Purpose: To present the dose per pulse dependence of various QA devices under Flattening Filter Free (FFF) conditions. Methods: Air and liquid filled ion chamber arrays, diode arrays, radiochromic film and optically stimulated luminescence detectors were investigated. All detectors were irradiated under similar conditions of varying dose per pulse on a TrueBeam linac. Dose per pulse was controlled by varying SSD from 70 to 160 cm providing a range from ~0.5 to ~3 mGy per pulse. MU rates of up to 2400 MU/min for 10X FFF and 1400 MU/min for the 6X FFF beam were used. Beam pulses were counted using the Profiler™ diode array and pulse timing was confirmed by examining linac node files. Delivered doses were calculated with the Eclipse™ treatment planning system. Results: The detectors show a range of behaviors depending on the detector type, as expected. Diode arrays show up to 4% change in sensitivity (sensitivity increases with increasing dose per pulse) over the range tested. Air and liquid ion chambers arrays show a change in sensitivity of up to 3% (air) and 6% (liquid) (sensitivity decreases with increasing dose per pulse) while film and OSLD do not demonstrate a dependence on dose per pulse. Conclusion: Dependence of detector response on dose per pulse varies considerably depending on detector design. Interplay between dose per pulse and MU rate also exists for some detectors. Due diligence is required to characterize detector response prior to implementation of a QA protocol for FFF treatment delivery. During VMAT delivery, the MU rate may also vary dramatically within a treatment fraction. We intend to further investigate the implications of this for VMAT FFF patient specific quality assurance. T Karan and F Viel have received partial funding through the Varian Research program.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Dosimetry of cone-defined stereotactic radiosurgery fields with a commercial synthetic diamond detector

Purpose: Small field x-ray beam dosimetry is difficult due to lack of lateral electronic equilibrium, source occlusion, high dose gradients, and detector volume averaging. Currently, there is no single definitive detector recommended for small field dosimetry. The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of a new commercial synthetic diamond detector, namely, the PTW 60019 microDiamond, for the dosimetry of small x-ray fields as used in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Methods: Small field sizes were defined by BrainLAB circular cones (4–30 mm diameter) on a Novalis Trilogy linear accelerator and using the 6 MV SRS x-ray beam mode for all measurements. Percentage depth doses (PDDs) were measured and compared to an IBA SFD and a PTW 60012 E diode. Cross profiles were measured and compared to an IBA SFD diode. Field factors, Ω{sub Q{sub c{sub l{sub i{sub n,Q{sub m{sub s{sub r}{sup f{sub c}{sub l}{sub i}{sub n},f{sub m}{sub s}{sub r}}}}}}}}}, were calculated by Monte Carlo methods using BEAMnrc and correction factors, k{sub Q{sub c{sub l{sub i{sub n,Q{sub m{sub s{sub r}{sup f{sub c}{sub l}{sub i}{sub n},f{sub m}{sub s}{sub r}}}}}}}}}, were derived for the PTW 60019 microDiamond detector. Results: For the small fields of 4–30 mm diameter, there were dose differences in the PDDs of up to 1.5% when compared to an IBA SFD and PTW 60012 E diode detector. For the cross profile measurements the penumbra values varied, depending upon the orientation of the detector. The field factors, Ω{sub Q{sub c{sub l{sub i{sub n,Q{sub m{sub s{sub r}{sup f{sub c}{sub l}{sub i}{sub n},f{sub m}{sub s}{sub r}}}}}}}}}, were calculated for these field diameters at a depth of 1.4 cm in water and they were within 2.7% of published values for a similar linear accelerator. The corrections factors, k{sub Q{sub c{sub l{sub i{sub n,Q{sub m{sub s{sub r}{sup f{sub c}{sub l}{sub i}{sub n},f{sub m}{sub s}{sub r}}}}}}}}}, were derived for the PTW 60019 microDiamond detector. Conclusions: The authors conclude that the new PTW 60019 microDiamond detector is generally suitable for relative dosimetry in small 6 MV SRS beams for a Novalis Trilogy linear equipped with circular cones.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Feasibility study of a dual detector configuration concept for simultaneous megavoltage imaging and dose verification in radiotherapy

Purpose: To test the feasibility of a dual detector concept for comprehensive verification of external beam radiotherapy. Specifically, the authors test the hypothesis that a portal imaging device coupled to a 2D dosimeter provides a system capable of simultaneous imaging and dose verification, and that the presence of each device does not significantly detract from the performance of the other. Methods: The dual detector configuration comprised of a standard radiotherapy electronic portal imaging device (EPID) positioned directly on top of an ionization-chamber array (ICA) with 2 cm solid water buildup material (between EPID and ICA) and 5 cm solid backscatter material. The dose response characteristics of the ICA and the imaging performance of the EPID in the dual detector configuration were compared to the performance in their respective reference clinical configurations. The reference clinical configurations were 6 cm solid water buildup material, an ICA, and 5 cm solid water backscatter material as the reference dosimetry configuration, and an EPID with no additional buildup or solid backscatter material as the reference imaging configuration. The dose response of the ICA was evaluated by measuring the detector’s response with respect to off-axis position, field size, and transit object thickness. Clinical dosimetry performance was evaluated by measuring a range of clinical intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) beams in transit and nontransit geometries. The imaging performance of the EPID was evaluated quantitatively by measuring the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and spatial resolution. Images of an anthropomorphic phantom were also used for qualitative assessment. Results: The measured off-axis and field size response with the ICA in both transit and nontransit geometries for both dual detector configuration and reference dosimetry configuration agreed to within 1%. Transit dose response as a function of object thickness agreed to within 0.5%. All IMRT test patterns and clinical IMRT beams had gamma pass rates of ≥98% at 2%/2 mm criteria. In terms of imaging performance, the measured CNR and spatial resolution (f{sub 50}) were 263.23 ± 24.85 and 0.4025 ± 1.25 × 10{sup −3} for dual detector configuration and 324 ± 26.65 and 0.4141 ± 1.14 × 10{sup −3} for reference imaging configuration, respectively. The CNR and spatial resolution were quantitatively worse in the dual detector configuration due to the additional backscatter. The difference in imaging performance was not visible in qualitative assessment of phantom images. Conclusions: Combining a commercially available ICA dosimetry device with a conventional EPID did not significantly detract from the performance of either device. Further improvements in imaging performance may be achieved with an optimized design. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a dual detector concept for simultaneous imaging and dosimetry in radiation therapy.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗