Validity of two simple rescaling methods for electron/beta dose point kernels in heterogeneous source–target geometry

Evaluation of dose point kernel rescaling methods for nanoscale dose estimation around gold nanoparticles using Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations

The absence of proper nanoscale experimental techniques to investigate the dose-enhancing properties of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) interacting with radiation has prompted the development of various Monte Carlo (MC)-based nanodosimetry techniques that generally require considerable computational knowledge, time and specific tools/platforms. Thus, this study investigated a hybrid computational framework, based on the electron dose point kernel (DPK) method, by combining Geant4 MC simulations with an analytical approach. This hybrid framework was applied to estimate the dose distributions around GNPs due to the secondary electrons emitted from GNPs irradiated by various photon sources. Specifically, the equivalent path length approximation was used to rescale the homogeneous DPKs for heterogeneous GNPs embedded in water/tissue. Compared with Geant4 simulations, the hybrid framework halved calculation time while utilizing fewer computer resources, and also resulted in mean discrepancies less than 20 and 5% for Yb-169 and 6 MV photon irradiation, respectively. Its appropriateness and computational efficiency in handling more complex cases were also demonstrated using an example derived from a transmission electron microscopy image of a cancer cell containing internalized GNPs. Overall, the currently proposed hybrid computational framework can be a practical alternative to full-fledged MC simulations, benefiting a wide range of GNP- and radiation-related applications.

SCALING PARAMETERS FOR HOT-PARTICLE BETA DOSIMETRY

Scaling of dose-point kernel (DPK) values for beta particles transmitted by high-Z sources will overestimate dose at shallow depths while underestimating dose at greater depths due to spectral hardening. A new model has been developed based on a determination of the amount of monoenergetic electron absorption that occurs in a given source thickness through the use of EGSnrc (Electron Gamma Shower) Monte Carlo simulations. Integration over a particular beta spectrum provides the beta-particle DPK following self-absorption as a function of source thickness and radial depth in water, thereby accounting for spectral hardening that may occur in higher-Z materials. Beta spectra of varying spectral shapes and endpoint energies were used to test the model for select source materials with 7.42 ≤ Z ≤ 94. The results demonstrate that significant improvements can be made to DPK-based dosimetry models when dealing with high-Z volumetric sources. This new scaling model is currently being used to improve the accuracy of the beta-dosimetry calculations in VARSKIN 5.