(Sunday, 7/14/2019)
Room: ePoster Forums
Purpose: To characterize the response of a small commercial plastic scintillator for measurements in the orthovoltage energy range and a small animal irradiator
Methods: A 1x1 mm plastic scintillating detector (PSD) was characterized in a series of M-series orthovoltage x-ray beams and the Small Animal Radiation Research Platform (SARRP) treatment beam. The PSD’s output per air kerma was measured in the reference M-series beams. Simulations were also performed in the M-series x-rays to estimate detector output per dose to water. Linearity and stability of the signal was investigated. The PSD’s sensitivity in the SARRP was determined by comparing to its response in the reference beams and to air kerma measurements with a microchamber. Its suitability for measuring output factors was assessed using the open, 10x10 and 5x5 mm² SARRP field sizes.
Results: The detector output per air kerma was found to vary with energy up to 50% in the M-series beams. In the SARRP, the PSD’s response per air kerma was within 5% of the value measured in the M150 reference beam with correction for the energy response. The detector also showed linearity with air kerma rate (R²>.99). The output factors as measured by the PSD agreed with film and chamber estimates within 3.5% for the 10x10 mm² beam and within 5% for the 5x5mm² beam.
Conclusion: The PSD was characterized for use in the SARRP and was found to have little energy dependence when comparing to orthovoltage reference beams. This suggests that with appropriate selection of calibration conditions, PSDs can be used to estimate the output of the SARRP at various field sizes.
Keywords
Calibration, Low Energy X-rays, Dosimetry
Taxonomy
TH- Small Animal RT: Radiation dosimetry & risk
Contact Email
