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At least 1,495 records · Page 83
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2013

Transfer of microstructure pattern of CNTs onto flexible substrate using hot press technique for sensing applications

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Successfully transfer of microstructure patterned CNTs on PET substrate. • Demonstrate as resistor-based NH{sub 3} gas sensor in the sub-ppm range. • Excellent photodetector having instantaneous response and recovery characteristics. • An effective technique to grow and produce flexible electronic device. - Abstract: In this work, we report the successful and efficient transfer process of two- dimensional (2-D) vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate by hot pressing method with an aim to develop flexible sensor devices. Carbon nanotubes are synthesized by cold wall thermal chemical vapor deposition using patterned SiO{sub 2} substrate under low pressure. The height of the pattern of CNTs is controlled by reaction time. The entire growth and transfer process is carried out within 30 min. Strong adhesion between the nanotube and polyethylene terephthalate substrate was observed in the post-transferred case. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies are used to analyze the microstructure of carbon nanotube film before and after hot pressing. This technique shows great potential for the fabrication of flexible sensing devices. We report for the first time, the application of patterned microstructure developed by this technique in the development of gas sensor and optoelectronic device. Surface resistive mode is used for detection of ammonia (NH{sub 3}) gas in the sub-ppm range. An impressive photoconducting response is also observed in the visible wavelength. The reproducibility of the sample was checked and the results indicate the possibility of use of carbon nanotube as gas sensor, photodetector, CCDs etc.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Growth and characterization of diammonium copper disulphate hexahydrate single crystal

Graphical abstract: Diammonium copper disulphate hexahydrate (DACS) is one of the most promising inorganic dielectric crystals with exceptional mechanical properties. Good quality crystals of DACS were grown by using solution method in a period of 30 days. The grown crystals were subjected to single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis in order to establish their crystalline nature. Thermo gravimetric, differential thermal analysis, FTIR, and UV–vis–NIR analysis were performed for the crystal. Several solid state physical parameters have been determined for the grown crystals. The dielectric constant and the dielectric loss and AC conductivity of the grown crystal were studied as a function of frequency and temperature has been calculated and plotted. - Highlights: • Diammonium copper disulphate is grown for the first time and CCDC number obtained. • Thermal analysis is done to see the stability range of the crystals. • Band gap and UV cut off wavelength of the crystal are determined to be 2.4 eV and 472.86 nm, respectively. • Dielectric constant, dielectric loss and AC conductivity are plotted as a function of applied field. - Abstract: Diammonium copper disulphate hexahydrate is one of the most promising inorganic crystals with exceptional dielectric properties. A good quality crystal was harvested in a 30-day period using solution growth method. The grown crystal was subjected to various characterization techniques like single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, thermo gravimetric, differential thermal analysis, FTIR, and UV–vis–NIR analysis. Unit cell dimensions of the grown crystal have been identified from XRD studies. Functional groups of the title compounds have been identified from FTIR studies. Thermal stability of the samples was checked by TG/DTA studies. Band gap of the crystal was calculated. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss were studied as a function of frequency of the applied field. AC conductivity was plotted as a function of temperature.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization and up/down-conversion luminescence of barium rare earth fluoride nanocrystals

Graphical abstract: Lanthanide ions doped bare earth rare earth fluoride nanocrystals are synthesized by hydrothermal technology and characterized. The down/up-conversion luminescence of them are discussed. - Highlights: • Mixed hydrothermal system H{sub 2}O–OA (EDA)–O-A(LO-A) is used for synthesis. • Barium rare earth fluoride nanocrystals are synthesized comprehensively. • Luminescence for down-conversion and up-conversion are obtained for these systems. - Abstract: Mixed hydrothermal system H{sub 2}O–OA (EDA)–O-A(LO-A) is developed to synthesize barium rare earth fluorides nanocrystals (OA = oleylamine, EDA = ethylenediamine, O-A = oleic acid and LO-A = linoleic acid). They are presented as BaREF{sub 5} (RE = Ce, Pr, Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Y, Tm, Lu) and Ba{sub 2}REF{sub 7} (RE = La, Sm, Ho, Er, Yb). The influence of reaction parameters (rare earth species, hydrothermal system and temperature) is checked on the phase and shape evolution of the fluoride nanocrystals. It is found that reaction time and temperature of these nanocrystals using EDA (180 °C, 6 h) is lower than those of them using OA (220 °C, 10 h). The photoluminescence properties of these fluorides activated by some rare earth ions (Nd{sup 3+}, Eu{sup 3+}, Tb{sup 3+}) are studied, and especially up-conversion luminescence of the four fluoride nanocrystal systems (Ba{sub 2}LaF{sub 7}:Yb, Tm(Er), Ba{sub 2}REF{sub 7}:Yb, Tm(Er) (RE = Gd, Y, Lu)) is observed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Cation distribution in Ni–Cu–Zn nanoferrites from {sup 57}Fe in-field Mössbauer spectra

Highlights: • Occupancy of copper ions at about 20% towards tetrahedral sites. • Distribution is proposed on the basis of % of Fe ions at both A and B sites. • Distribution is checked by estimating the theoretical lattice constant values. - Abstract: The nanoparticles of Ni{sub 1−x}Cu{sub x}Zn{sub 0.35}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} were synthesized by sol–gel method using polyvinyl alcohol as a chelating agent. X-ray diffraction patterns of all the samples confirmed the single phase spinel structure. The site occupancy of copper in the nanosized nickel–zinc ferrite spinels was investigated with the help of in-field Mössbauer spectroscopy. Cation distribution for the whole series of compositions was proposed by considering the amounts of iron ions present at both tetrahedral and octahedral interstitial sites in the spinel lattice. Confirmation of the proposed distributions was done by estimating quantitatively the lattice parameters for these compositions and comparing their values with those of the experimentally observed ones.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effect of the purity of starting materials on the growth and properties of potassium dihydrogen phosphate single crystals – A comparative study

Highlights: • Bulk size KDP crystal has been grown with higher growth rate. • Systematic study on the effect of starting materials has been done. • Crystalline perfection is maintained in the entire crystal. - Abstract: A systematic study on the effect of purity of starting materials on the growth and properties of potassium dihydrogen phosphate single crystals is crucial for the future study of the material for nonlinear optical applications. Potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals were grown using high pure (99.999%) and ordinary (99.9%) starting raw materials using slow cooling method in identical conditions. Their optical transparency and crystalline perfection are studied by UV and high resolution X-ray diffraction analyses respectively. The results are checked with the help of etching analyses. The full width at half maximum is 8″ which is close to that expected from the plane wave theory of dynamical X-ray diffraction for an ideally perfect crystal. Results of those studies are correlated with each other. The quantitative results show that the raw material plays an important role in the growth of good quality crystals.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effect of annealing temperature on the structure and optical parameters of Ge{sub 20}Se{sub 50}Te{sub 30} thin films

Highlights: • The amorphous nature of as prepared Ge{sub 20}Se{sub 50}Te{sub 30} films was confirmed by XRD. • The thermal annealing was found to affect the structure and optical parameter. • Thermal annealing resulted in an appearance of crystalline phases in studied films. • The average particle size increased with increasing the annealing temperature. • The indirect band gap was found to decrease with increasing annealing temperature. - Abstract: Bulk glasses and thin films of Ge{sub 20}Se{sub 50}Te{sub 30} were prepared by melt-quenching and thermal evaporation technique, respectively. The stoichiometry of the composition was checked by energy dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDX), whereas the crystallization was investigated using differential scanning calorimetery (DSC). The effect of heat treatment on the structure transformation of Ge{sub 20}Se{sub 50}Te{sub 30} films was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD results reveal that the as-prepared films are amorphous in nature while the annealed ones show crystalline phases. Further, the average crystallite size, strain, and dislocation density were found to depend on the annealing temperature. The optical transmittance and reflectance of the studied films at different annealing temperatures were measured using spectrophotometer. The optical parameters were calculated as a function of annealing temperature. The optical transition was found to be allowed indirect transition with optical band gap decreases from 1.69 to 1.41 eV with increasing the annealing temperature from 553 to 633 K.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

A novel blue-greenish emitting phosphor Ba{sub 3}LaK(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F:Tb{sup 3+} with high thermal stability

Highlights: • The Ba{sub 3}LaK(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F:Tb{sup 3+} phosphors exhibit a broad excitation band. • The Ba{sub 3}LaK(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F:Tb{sup 3+} emission color adjust from blue to green. • The Ba{sub 3}LaK(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F:Tb{sup 3+} show superior thermal stability. - Abstract: Ba{sub 3}La{sub 1−m}K(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F:mTb{sup 3+}(m = 0.01–0.50) phosphors have been prepared by a traditional high temperature solid-state reaction. XRD analysis verified the apatite-type phase structure of the as-prepared samples, and the morphology has been checked by the Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The emission spectrum of Ba{sub 3}LaK(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F:Tb{sup 3+} phosphor consists of two regions, blue emission band from 380 to 470 nm and green emission band from 470 to 650 nm. With increasing Tb{sup 3+} ions doped concentration (m), the color hue of Ba{sub 3}La{sub 1−m}K(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F:mTb{sup 3+}adjusts from blue to green. On the basis of concentration quenching method, the critical distance between Tb{sup 3+} ions is calculated to be 7.98 Å, suggesting that multipolar interaction predominate in quenching process. In addition, the temperature-dependence PL spectra of Ba{sub 3}LaK(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F:0.01Tb{sup 3+} and Ba{sub 3}LaK(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F:0.40Tb{sup 3+} phosphor are given,which exhibit superior thermal stability.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Studies on synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) via green route and its electrical property

Highlights: • RGO-1 and RGO-2 were synthesized by green method using different phytoextracts. • M. indica L., S. tuberosum L. phytoextracts act as reducing and stabilizing agents. • Conjugated structure of graphene is established following partial reduction of GO. • Electrical conductivities of RGO-1 and RGO-2 are higher than GO. - Abstract: An environmentally friendly method has been applied for the preparation of reduced graphene oxide (RGO). This method was developed by using polyphenols that contained a phytoextract of Mangifera indica L. along with Solanum tuberosum L. as reducing agents since they are non-toxic and naturally available. The phytoextracts used in the production of RGO was set between 60 and 70 °C. Graphene oxide (GO) was prepared by modified Hummer’s method as reported in earlier findings. Structural and morphological studies demonstrate that the part of the oxygen functionalities in GO can be removed by following green reduction. Characterizations of the resulting product have been done by X-ray diffraction, FTIR, UV–vis and Raman spectroscopy. FESEM, TEM, EDX spectrum, TGA, DLS and Zeta potential measurements of the samples have also been carried out to study the morphological, thermal and surface charge characteristics. Electrical conductivity was also measured to check the extent of reduction of GO to RGO.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Study of magneto-optical characteristics of cerium incorporated yttrium iron garnet films

Highlights: • Ce:YIG films deposited by sol–gel method. • XRD results shows crystallite size of films decreases by Ce concentrations. • Morphological studies indicate of smooth and connected surface for all films. • Ce ions increased Faraday rotation of YIG films. - Abstract: In the current study, yttrium iron garnet films incorporated with cerium with the general formula of Ce{sub x}Y{sub 3-x}Fe{sub 5}O{sub 12} and values of (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7) were prepared through sol–gel method using spin coating technique and heating treatment on quartz substrates. Prepared samples were studied to check physical characteristics. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) were applied to study the impact of Ce impurities on the structural characteristic, surface morphology of films and magnetic properties, respectively. Faraday rotation values of samples were measured at the wavelength of 632 nm. The image of the atomic force microscope (AFM) of the prepared samples shows that the films have a continuous and smooth surface.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Tungsten-doped vanadium dioxide thin film based tunable antenna

Highlights: • VO{sub 2} and W-doped VO{sub 2} thin films were successfully synthesized by reactive PLD process. • By using the films, thermally tunable and switchable bowtie RF antenna structures were designed, fabricated, and tested. • The thin film based RF antenna structures were fully functional with a successful frequency tuning capability. - Abstract: Since vanadium dioxide (VO{sub 2}) is a phase change material that shows a metal to insulator transition behavior at a temperature near 68℃, it has many potential applications in the areas of science and engineering. In this study, tungsten (W) -doped VO{sub 2} thin films were synthesized by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique with a metallic vanadium target and W-wires which were simply attached on the surface of the vanadium target. Also, bowtie RF antenna structures were fabricated by using the films to check the frequency tunability. The experimental results show a decrease of the transition temperature and a broadening of the phase transition as the atomic percentage of W increases in the film structure. The results also reveal that the W-doped VO{sub 2} thin film based RF antenna was fully functional with the successful frequency tuning capability.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2012

Case study thoracic radiotherapy in an elderly patient with pacemaker: The issue of pacing leads

To assess clinical outcome of patients with pacemaker treated with thoracic radiation therapy for T8-T9 paravertebral chloroma. A 92-year-old male patient with chloroma presenting as paravertebral painful and compressive (T8-T9) mass was referred for radiotherapy in the Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Curie. The patient presented with cardiac dysfunction and a permanent pacemaker that had been implanted prior. The decision of Multidisciplinary Meeting was to deliver 30 Gy in 10 fractions for reducing the symptoms and controlling the tumor growth. The patient received a total dose of 30 Gy in 10 fractions using 4-field conformal radiotherapy with 20-MV photons. The dose to pacemaker was 0.1 Gy but a part of the pacing leads was in the irradiation fields. The patient was treated the first time in the presence of his radiation oncologist and an intensive care unit doctor. Moreover, the function of his pacemaker was monitored during the entire radiotherapy course. No change in pacemaker function was observed during any of the radiotherapy fractions. The radiotherapy was very well tolerated without any side effects. The function of the pacemaker was checked before and after the radiotherapy treatment by the cardiologist and no pacemaker dysfunction was observed. Although updated guidelines are needed with acceptable dose criteria for implantable cardiac devices, it is possible to treat patients with these devices and parts encroaching on the radiation field. This case report shows we were able to safely treat our patient through a multidisciplinary approach, monitoring the patient during each step of the treatment.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Characterization and use of a 2D-array of ion chambers for brachytherapy dosimetric quality assurance

The two-dimensional (2D) ionization chamber array MatriXX Evolution is one of the 2D ionization chamber arrays developed by IBA Dosimetry (IBA Dosimetry, Germany) for megavoltage real-time absolute 2D dosimetry and verification of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The purpose of this study was to (1) evaluate the performance of ion chamber array for submegavoltage range brachytherapy beam dose verification and quality assurance (QA) and (2) use the end-to-end dosimetric evaluation that mimics a patient treatment procedure and confirm the primary source strength calibration agrees in both the treatment planning system (TPS) and treatment delivery console computers. The dose linearity and energy dependence of the 2D ion chamber array was studied using kilovoltage X-ray beams (100, 180 and 300 kVp). The detector calibration factor was determined using 300 kVp X-ray beams so that we can use the same calibration factor for dosimetric verification of high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy. The phantom used for this measurement consists of multiple catheters, the IBA MatriXX detector, and water-equivalent slab of RW3 to provide full scattering conditions. The treatment planning system (TPS) (Oncentra brachy version 3.3, Nucletron BV, Veenendaal, the Netherlands) dose distribution was calculated on the computed tomography (CT) scan of this phantom. The measured and TPS calculated distributions were compared in IBA Dosimetry OmniPro-I'mRT software. The quality of agreement was quantified by the gamma ({gamma}) index (with 3% delta dose and distance criterion of 2 mm) for 9 sets of plans. Using a dedicated phantom capable of receiving 5 brachytherapy intralumenal catheters a QA procedure was developed for end-to-end dosimetric evaluation for routine QA checks. The 2D ion chamber array dose dependence was found to be linear for 100-300 kVp and the detector response (k{sub user}) showed strong energy dependence for 100-300 kVp energy range. For the Ir-192 brachytherapy HDR source, dosimetric evaluation k{sub user} factor determined by photon beam of energy of 300 kVp was used. The maximum mean difference between ion chamber array measured and TPS calculated was 3.7%. Comparisons of dose distribution for different test plans have shown agreement with >94.5% for {gamma} {<=}1. Dosimetric QA can be performed with the 2D ion chamber array to confirm primary source strength calibration is properly updated in both the TPS and treatment delivery console computers. The MatriXX Evolution ionization chamber array has been found to be reliable for measurement of both absolute dose and relative dose distributions for the Ir-192 brachytherapy HDR source.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Impact of the number of control points has on isodose distributions in a dynamic multileaf collimator intensity-modulated radiation therapy delivery

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a powerful technique in planning the delivery of dose. The most common IMRT delivery requires the use of moving multileaf collimators (MLCs) to deliver the requested fluence pattern. A dynamic delivery IMRT field file will contain several control points that are defined MLC shapes at a marked fraction of the delivered monitor units. The size of this file and the fidelity of the deliverable fluence are proportional to the number of control points defined. This study investigates the effect of reducing the number of control points has on the resultant dose distribution quality in complex IMRT in efforts to reduce transfer times, loading times, check sum times and file storage. Analysis was performed with 6 head and neck patients on an Eclipse version 8.5 treatment planning system (Varian, Palo Alto, CA). To ensure the quality of all treatments, Eclipse defines a minimum of 64 and a maximum of 320 control points per subfield (Eclipse Algorithms Reference guide). All 6 patients' plans were calculated with fixed 64, 166, and 320 control points using the sliding window technique. In addition, each plan was calculated in variable mode (Normal mode) in which the planning system determined the required number of control points. Each of the 4 plans for each patient was renormalized to provide the same mean planning target volume (PTV) 70 dose. Dose values for critical and target structures were examined for each patient. When examining the minimum, maximum, and mean doses to all target structures, it was noted that the greatest reduction in target dose coverage caused by reduced number of control points was 0.5%, which occurred for the minimum dose to the PTV56 structure in one plan.' Dose analysis for critical structures showed no clinically significant increase in dose when compared with the 320 control point plan.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Independent calculation-based verification of IMRT plans using a 3D dose-calculation engine

Independent monitor unit verification of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans requires detailed 3-dimensional (3D) dose verification. The aim of this study was to investigate using a 3D dose engine in a second commercial treatment planning system (TPS) for this task, facilitated by in-house software. Our department has XiO and Pinnacle TPSs, both with IMRT planning capability and modeled for an Elekta-Synergy 6 MV photon beam. These systems allow the transfer of computed tomography (CT) data and RT structures between them but do not allow IMRT plans to be transferred. To provide this connectivity, an in-house computer programme was developed to convert radiation therapy prescription (RTP) files as generated by many planning systems into either XiO or Pinnacle IMRT file formats. Utilization of the technique and software was assessed by transferring 14 IMRT plans from XiO and Pinnacle onto the other system and performing 3D dose verification. The accuracy of the conversion process was checked by comparing the 3D dose matrices and dose volume histograms (DVHs) of structures for the recalculated plan on the same system. The developed software successfully transferred IMRT plans generated by 1 planning system into the other. Comparison of planning target volume (TV) DVHs for the original and recalculated plans showed good agreement; a maximum difference of 2% in mean dose, − 2.5% in D95, and 2.9% in V95 was observed. Similarly, a DVH comparison of organs at risk showed a maximum difference of +7.7% between the original and recalculated plans for structures in both high- and medium-dose regions. However, for structures in low-dose regions (less than 15% of prescription dose) a difference in mean dose up to +21.1% was observed between XiO and Pinnacle calculations. A dose matrix comparison of original and recalculated plans in XiO and Pinnacle TPSs was performed using gamma analysis with 3%/3 mm criteria. The mean and standard deviation of pixels passing gamma tolerance for XiO-generated IMRT plans was 96.1 ± 1.3, 96.6 ± 1.2, and 96.0 ± 1.5 in axial, coronal, and sagittal planes respectively. Corresponding results for Pinnacle-generated IMRT plans were 97.1 ± 1.5, 96.4 ± 1.2, and 96.5 ± 1.3 in axial, coronal, and sagittal planes respectively.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2014

A dosimetric evaluation of the Eclipse AAA algorithm and Millennium 120 MLC for cranial intensity-modulated radiosurgery

The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy of a convolution-based algorithm (anisotropic analytical algorithm [AAA]) implemented in the Eclipse planning system for intensity-modulated radiosurgery (IMRS) planning of small cranial targets by using a 5-mm leaf-width multileaf collimator (MLC). Overall, 24 patient-based IMRS plans for cranial lesions of variable size (0.3 to 15.1 cc) were planned (Eclipse, AAA, version 10.0.28) using fixed field-based IMRS produced by a Varian linear accelerator equipped with a 120 MLC (5-mm width on central leaves). Plan accuracy was evaluated according to phantom-based measurements performed with radiochromic film (EBT2, ISP, Wayne, NJ). Film 2D dose distributions were performed with the FilmQA Pro software (version 2011, Ashland, OH) by using the triple-channel dosimetry method. Comparison between computed and measured 2D dose distributions was performed using the gamma method (3%/1 mm). Performance of the MLC was checked by inspection of the DynaLog files created by the linear accelerator during the delivery of each dynamic field. The absolute difference between the calculated and measured isocenter doses for all the IMRS plans was 2.5% ± 2.1%. The gamma evaluation method resulted in high average passing rates of 98.9% ± 1.4% (red channel) and 98.9% ± 1.5% (blue and green channels). DynaLog file analysis revealed a maximum root mean square error of 0.46 mm. According to our results, we conclude that the Eclipse/AAA algorithm provides accurate cranial IMRS dose distributions that may be accurately delivered by a Varian linac equipped with a Millennium 120 MLC.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Accuracy evaluation of the optical surface monitoring system on EDGE linear accelerator in a phantom study

Frameless stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) requires dedicated systems to monitor the patient position during the treatment to avoid target underdosage due to involuntary shift. The optical surface monitoring system (OSMS) is here evaluated in a phantom-based study. The new EDGE linear accelerator from Varian (Varian, Palo Alto, CA) integrates, for cranial lesions, the common cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and kV-MV portal images to the optical surface monitoring system (OSMS), a device able to detect real-time patient's face movements in all 6 couch axes (vertical, longitudinal, lateral, rotation along the vertical axis, pitch, and roll). We have evaluated the OSMS imaging capability in checking the phantoms' position and monitoring its motion. With this aim, a home-made cranial phantom was developed to evaluate the OSMS accuracy in 4 different experiments: (1) comparison with CBCT in isocenter location, (2) capability to recognize predefined shifts up to 2° or 3 cm, (3) evaluation at different couch angles, (4) ability to properly reconstruct the surface when the linac gantry visually block one of the cameras. The OSMS system showed, with a phantom, to be accurate for positioning in respect to the CBCT imaging system with differences of 0.6 ± 0.3 mm for linear vector displacement, with a maximum rotational inaccuracy of 0.3°. OSMS presented an accuracy of 0.3 mm for displacement up to 1 cm and 1°, and 0.5 mm for larger displacements. Different couch angles (45° and 90°) induced a mean vector uncertainty < 0.4 mm. Coverage of 1 camera produced an uncertainty < 0.5 mm. Translations and rotations of a phantom can be accurately detect with the optical surface detector system.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2017

A fast and reliable method for daily quality assurance in spot scanning proton therapy with a compact and inexpensive phantom

In a radiotherapy center, daily quality assurance (QA) measurements are performed to ensure that the equipment can be safely used for patient treatment on that day. In a pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton therapy center, spot positioning, spot size, range, and dose output are usually verified every day before treatments. We designed, built, and tested a new, reliable, sensitive, and inexpensive phantom, coupled with an array of ionization chambers, for daily QA that reduces the execution times while preserving the reliability of the test. The phantom is provided with 2 pairs of wedges to sample the Bragg peak at different depths to have a transposition on the transverse plane of the depth dose. Three “boxes” are used to check spot positioning and delivered dose. The box thickness helps spread the single spot and to fit a Gaussian profile on a low resolution detector. We tested whether our new QA solution could detect errors larger than our action levels: 1 mm in spot positioning, 2 mm in range, and 10% in spot size. Execution time was also investigated. Our method is able to correctly detect 98% of spots that are actually in tolerance for spot positioning and 99% of spots out of 1 mm tolerance. All range variations greater than the threshold (2 mm) were correctly detected. The analysis performed over 1 month showed a very good repeatability of spot characteristics. The time taken to perform the daily quality assurance is 20 minutes, a half of the execution time of the former multidevice procedure. This “in-house build” phantom substitutes 2 very expensive detectors (a multilayer ionization chamber [MLIC] and a strip chamber, reducing by 5 times the cost of the equipment. We designed, built, and validated a phantom that allows for accurate, sensitive, fast, and inexpensive daily QA procedures in proton therapy with PBS.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Application of Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation in dose calculations for small radiosurgical fields

The Geant4 toolkit was used to develop a Monte Carlo (MC)-based engine for accurate dose calculations in small radiation field sizes. The Geant4 toolkit (version 10.1.p02) was used to simulate 6-MV photon beam of a Varian2100C linear accelerator that is being used for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatment with small radiation fields. Geometric models of 3 in-house designed radiosurgical divergent cones, with the diameters of their projections at the isocenter being 10, 20, and 30 mm, were simulated. The accuracy of the MC simulation technique was examined by reproducing several different simulated dosimetric parameters of the primary beams with the experimental data. The dose distributions are first checked for single beams for each cone, then standard multiple field (SMF) techniques are applied. A sample set of DICOM files from computed tomography (CT) scan imaging of a patient's head was converted to the Geant4 geometry format to implement MC-based engine for a clinical test. To validate the accuracy of the MC-based calculations for SMF arrangements, the isodose lines from MC simulation in water phantom were compared with the measured isodose lines using EBT3 Gafchromic film in Solid Water phantoms. Agreements between measured and simulated depth dose values and beam profiles for SRS cones were generally within 2%/2 mm. For output factors, the largest discrepancy was observed for 10 mm SRS cone, which was 1.7%. For SMF techniques, in SRS cones, the MC simulation and EBT3 Gafchromic film dosimetry were in acceptable agreement (5%/5 mm). Excellent agreement between the results of the MC-based and measured dose values for both single and SMF techniques in SRS cones indicates the ability of the Geant4 toolkit to be applied as the platform for treatment planning of advanced radiotherapy techniques.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗