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Fratelli I, Basiricò L, Ciavatti A, Margotti L, Cepić S, Chiari M, Fraboni B. Real-Time Radiation Beam Monitoring by Flexible Perovskite Thin Film Arrays. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2401124. [PMID: 39205427 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202401124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Real-time and in-line transversal monitoring of ionizing radiation beams is a crucial task for several applications which span from medical treatments to particle accelerators in high energy physics. Here a flexible and large area device based on 2D hybrid perovskite thin films (phenylethylammonium lead bromide), fabricated onto a thin flexible polyimide substrate, able to map the transversal beam profile of high energy radiation beams is reported. The performance of this novel tool is here compared with the one offered by standard commercial large-area technology, namely radiochromic sheets. The great potential of this class of devices is demonstrated by successfully mapping in real-time a 5 MeV proton beam at fluxes between 108 and 1010 H+ s-1 cm-2, confirming the capability to operate in a radiation-harsh environment without output signal saturation issues. The versatility and scalability of here proposed detecting system are demonstrated by the development of a multipixel array able to map in real-time a 40 kVp X-ray beam spot (dose rate 8 mGy s-1). Perovskite thin film-based detectors are thus assessed as a very promising class of thin, flexible devices for real-time, in-line, large-area, conformable, reusable, transparent, and low-cost transversal beam monitoring of different ionizing radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Fratelli
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, viale Berti Pichat 6/2, Bologna (BO), 40127, Italy
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics - Bologna, viale Berti Pichat 6/2, Bologna (BO), 40127, Italy
| | - Laura Basiricò
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, viale Berti Pichat 6/2, Bologna (BO), 40127, Italy
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics - Bologna, viale Berti Pichat 6/2, Bologna (BO), 40127, Italy
| | - Andrea Ciavatti
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, viale Berti Pichat 6/2, Bologna (BO), 40127, Italy
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics - Bologna, viale Berti Pichat 6/2, Bologna (BO), 40127, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Margotti
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, viale Berti Pichat 6/2, Bologna (BO), 40127, Italy
| | - Sara Cepić
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, viale Berti Pichat 6/2, Bologna (BO), 40127, Italy
| | - Massimo Chiari
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics - Florence, Via G. Sansone 1, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Florence, Italy
| | - Beatrice Fraboni
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, viale Berti Pichat 6/2, Bologna (BO), 40127, Italy
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics - Bologna, viale Berti Pichat 6/2, Bologna (BO), 40127, Italy
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Wahabi JM, Wong JHD, Mahdiraji GA, Ung NM. Feasibility of determining external beam radiotherapy dose using LuSy dosimeter. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2024; 25:e14387. [PMID: 38778567 PMCID: PMC11163501 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.14387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Radiation dose measurement is an essential part of radiotherapy to verify the correct delivery of doses to patients and ensure patient safety. Recent advancements in radiotherapy technology have highlighted the need for fast and precise dosimeters. Technologies like FLASH radiotherapy and magnetic-resonance linear accelerators (MR-LINAC) demand dosimeters that can meet their unique requirements. One promising solution is the plastic scintillator-based dosimeter with high spatial resolution and real-time dose output. This study explores the feasibility of using the LuSy dosimeter, an in-house developed plastic scintillator dosimeter for dose verification across various radiotherapy techniques, including conformal radiotherapy (CRT), intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT), and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). MATERIALS AND METHODS A new dosimetry system, comprising a new plastic scintillator as the sensing material, was developed and characterized for radiotherapy beams. Treatment plans were created for conformal radiotherapy, IMRT, VMAT, and SRS and delivered to a phantom. LuSy dosimeter was used to measure the delivered dose for each plan on the surface of the phantom and inside the target volumes. Then, LuSy measurements were compared against an ionization chamber, MOSFET dosimeter, radiochromic films, and dose calculated using the treatment planning system (TPS). RESULTS For CRT, surface dose measurement by LuSy dosimeter showed a deviation of -5.5% and -5.4% for breast and abdomen treatment from the TPS, respectively. When measuring inside the target volume for IMRT, VMAT, and SRS, the LuSy dosimeter produced a mean deviation of -3.0% from the TPS. Surface dose measurement resulted in higher TPS discrepancies where the deviations for IMRT, VMAT, and SRS were -2.0%, -19.5%, and 16.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION The LuSy dosimeter was feasible for measuring radiotherapy doses for various treatment techniques. Treatment delivery verification enables early error detection, allowing for safe treatment delivery for radiotherapy patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janatul Madinah Wahabi
- Department of Biomedical ImagingFaculty of MedicineUniversiti MalayaKuala LumpurMalaysia
- Radiotherapy and Oncology DepartmentNational Cancer InstitutePutrajayaMalaysia
| | - Jeannie Hsiu Ding Wong
- Department of Biomedical ImagingFaculty of MedicineUniversiti MalayaKuala LumpurMalaysia
- Universiti Malaya Research Imaging Centre (UMRIC), Faculty of MedicineUniversiti MalayaKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | | | - Ngie Min Ung
- Clinical Oncology UnitFaculty of MedicineUniversiti MalayaKuala LumpurMalaysia
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Dremann D, Kumar EJ, Thorley KJ, Gutiérrez-Fernández E, Ververs JD, Bourland JD, Anthony JE, Kandada ARS, Jurchescu OD. Understanding radiation-generated electronic traps in radiation dosimeters based on organic field-effect transistors. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2024; 11:134-140. [PMID: 37937385 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh01507f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Organic dosimeters offer unique advantages over traditional technologies, and they can be used to expand the capabilities of current radiation detection systems. In-depth knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the interaction between radiation and organic materials is essential for their widespread adoption. Here, we identified and quantitatively characterized the electronic traps generated during the operation of radiation dosimeters based on organic field-effect transistors. Spectral analysis of the trap density of states, along with optical and structural studies, revealed the origin of trap states as local structural disorder within the crystalline films. Our results provide new insights into the radiation-induced defects in organic dosimeters, and pave the way for the development of more efficient and reliable radiation detection devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek Dremann
- Department of Physics and Center for Functional Materials (CFM), Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27109, USA.
| | - Evan J Kumar
- Department of Physics and Center for Functional Materials (CFM), Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27109, USA.
| | - Karl J Thorley
- University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research, Lexington, KY 40511, USA
| | - Edgar Gutiérrez-Fernández
- Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
- XMas/BM28-ESRF, 71 Avenue Des Martyrs, F-38043 Grenoble Cedex, France
| | - James D Ververs
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - J Daniel Bourland
- Department of Physics and Center for Functional Materials (CFM), Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27109, USA.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - John E Anthony
- University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research, Lexington, KY 40511, USA
| | - Ajay Ram Srimath Kandada
- Department of Physics and Center for Functional Materials (CFM), Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27109, USA.
| | - Oana D Jurchescu
- Department of Physics and Center for Functional Materials (CFM), Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27109, USA.
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Large MJ, Posar JA, Mozer AJ, Nattestad A, Alnaghy S, Carolan M, Sellin PJ, Davies J, Pastuovic Z, Lerch MLF, Guatelli S, Rosenfeld A, Griffith MJ, Petasecca M. Flexible Polymer X-ray Detectors with Non-fullerene Acceptors for Enhanced Stability: Toward Printable Tissue Equivalent Devices for Medical Applications. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:57703-57712. [PMID: 34806354 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c16914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
There is growing interest in the development of novel materials and devices capable of ionizing radiation detection for medical applications. Organic semiconductors are promising candidates to meet the demands of modern detectors, such as low manufacturing costs, mechanical flexibility, and a response to radiation equivalent to human tissue. However, organic semiconductors have typically been employed in applications that convert low energy photons into high current densities, for example, solar cells and LEDs, and thus existing design rules must be re-explored for ionizing radiation detection where high energy photons are converted into typically much lower current densities. In this work, we report the optoelectronic and X-ray dosimetric response of a tissue equivalent organic photodetector fabricated with solution-based inks prepared from polymer donor poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) blended with either a non-fullerene acceptor (5Z,5'Z)-5,5'-((7,7'-(4,4,9,9-tetraoctyl-4,9-dihydro-s-indaceno[1,2-b:5,6-b']dithiophene-2,7-diyl)bis(benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole-7,4-diyl))bis(methanylylidene))bis(3-ethyl-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one) (o-IDTBR) or a fullerene acceptor, [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). Indirect detection of X-rays was achieved via coupling of organic photodiodes with a plastic scintillator. Both detectors displayed an excellent response linearity with dose, with sensitivities to 6 MV photons of 263.4 ± 0.6 and 114.2 ± 0.7 pC/cGy recorded for P3HT:PCBM and P3HT:o-IDTBR detectors, respectively. Both detectors also exhibited a fast temporal response, able to resolve individual 3.6 μs pulses from the linear accelerator. Energy dependence measurements highlighted that the photodetectors were highly tissue equivalent, though an under-response in devices compared to water by up to a factor of 2.3 was found for photon energies of 30-200 keV due to the response of the plastic scintillator. The P3HT:o-IDTBR device exhibited a higher stability to radiation, showing just an 18.4% reduction in performance when exposed to radiation doses of up to 10 kGy. The reported devices provide a successful demonstration of stable, printable, flexible, and tissue-equivalent radiation detectors with energy dependence similar to other scintillator-based detectors used in radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Large
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2500, Australia
| | - Jessie A Posar
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2500, Australia
| | - Attila J Mozer
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES), Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | - Andrew Nattestad
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES), Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Saree Alnaghy
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2500, Australia
| | - Martin Carolan
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2500, Australia
- Illawarra Cancer Care Centre, Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong, New South Wales 2500, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | - Paul J Sellin
- Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, U.K
| | - Justin Davies
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, New Illawarra Rd, Lucas Heights, New South Wales 2234, Australia
| | - Zeljko Pastuovic
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, New Illawarra Rd, Lucas Heights, New South Wales 2234, Australia
| | - Michael L F Lerch
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2500, Australia
| | - Susanna Guatelli
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2500, Australia
| | - Anatoly Rosenfeld
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2500, Australia
| | - Matthew J Griffith
- School of Aeronautical, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Marco Petasecca
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2500, Australia
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Posar JA, Large M, Alnaghy S, Paino JR, Butler DJ, Griffith MJ, Hood S, Lerch MLF, Rosenfeld A, Sellin PJ, Guatelli S, Petasecca M. Towards high spatial resolution tissue-equivalent dosimetry for microbeam radiation therapy using organic semiconductors. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2021; 28:1444-1454. [PMID: 34475292 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577521006044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Spatially fractionated ultra-high-dose-rate beams used during microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) have been shown to increase the differential response between normal and tumour tissue. Quality assurance of MRT requires a dosimeter that possesses tissue equivalence, high radiation tolerance and spatial resolution. This is currently an unsolved challenge. This work explored the use of a 500 nm thick organic semiconductor for MRT dosimetry on the Imaging and Medical Beamline at the Australian Synchrotron. Three beam filters were used to irradiate the device with peak energies of 48, 76 and 88 keV with respective dose rates of 3668, 500 and 209 Gy s-1. The response of the device stabilized to 30% efficiency after an irradiation dose of 30 kGy, with a 0.5% variation at doses of 35 kGy and higher. The calibration factor after pre-irradiation was determined to be 1.02 ± 0.005 µGy per count across all three X-ray energy spectra, demonstrating the unique advantage of using tissue-equivalent materials for dosimetry. The percentage depth dose curve was within ±5% of the PTW microDiamond detector. The broad beam was fractionated into 50 microbeams (50 µm FHWM and 400 µm centre-to-centre distance). For each beam filter, the FWHMs of all 50 microbeams were measured to be 51 ± 1.4, 53 ± 1.4 and 69 ± 1.9 µm, for the highest to lowest dose rate, respectively. The variation in response suggested the photodetector possessed dose-rate dependence. However, its ability to reconstruct the microbeam profile was affected by the presence of additional dose peaks adjacent to the one generated by the X-ray microbeam. Geant4 simulations proved that the additional peaks were due to optical photons generated in the barrier film coupled to the sensitive volume. The simulations also confirmed that the amplitude of the additional peak in comparison with the microbeam decreased for spectra with lower peak energies, as observed in the experimental data. The material packaging can be optimized during fabrication by solution processing onto a flexible substrate with a non-fluorescent barrier film. With these improvements, organic photodetectors show promising prospects as a cost-effective high spatial resolution tissue-equivalent flexible dosimeter for synchrotron radiation fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie A Posar
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Matthew Large
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Saree Alnaghy
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Jason R Paino
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Duncan J Butler
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), Yallambie, Victoria 3085, Australia
| | - Matthew J Griffith
- School of Aeronautical, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Sean Hood
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Michael L F Lerch
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Anatoly Rosenfeld
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Paul J Sellin
- Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Susanna Guatelli
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Marco Petasecca
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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Electron Beam Induced Tailoring of Electrical Characteristics of Organic Semiconductor Films. CHEMISTRY AFRICA-A JOURNAL OF THE TUNISIAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42250-020-00168-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Chatzispyroglou P, Keddie JL, Sellin PJ. Boron-Loaded Polymeric Sensor for the Direct Detection of Thermal Neutrons. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:33050-33057. [PMID: 32589007 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c09998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We report the first demonstration of a solid-state, direct-conversion sensor for thermal neutrons based on a polymer/inorganic nanocomposite. Sensors were fabricated from ultrathick films of poly(triarylamine) (PTAA) semiconducting polymer, with thicknesses up to 100 μm. Boron nanoparticles (NPs) were dispersed throughout the PTAA film to provide the neutron stopping power arising from the high thermal neutron cross section of the isotope 10B. To maximize the quantum efficiency (QE) of the sensor to thermal neutrons, a high volume fraction of homogeneously dispersed boron nanoparticles was achieved in the thick PTAA film using an optimized processing method. Thick active layers were realized using a high molecular weight of the PTAA so that molecular entanglements provide a high cohesive strength. A nonionic surfactant was used to stabilize the boron dispersion in solvent and hence suppress the formation of agglomerates and associated electrical pathways. Boron nanoparticle loadings of up to ten volume percent were achieved, with thermal neutron quantum efficiency estimates up to 6% resulting. The sensors' neutron responses were characterized under a high flux thermal neutron exposure, showing a linear correlation between the response current and the thermal neutron flux up to ∼107 cm-2 s-1. Polymer-based boron nanocomposite sensors offer a new neutron detection technology that uses low-cost, scalable solution processing and provides an alternative to traditional neutron sensors that use rare isotopes, such as 3He.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph L Keddie
- Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, U.K
| | - Paul J Sellin
- Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, U.K
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