Results for “Layout” — Page 45

DOE OSTI2015

Modeling and Analysis of Hybrid Pixel Detector Deficiencies for Scientific Applications

Semiconductor hybrid pixel detectors often consist of a pixellated sensor layer bump bonded to a matching pixelated readout integrated circuit (ROIC). The sensor can range from high resistivity Si to III-V materials, whereas a Si CMOS process is typically used to manufacture the ROIC. Independent, device physics and electronic design automation (EDA) tools are used to determine sensor characteristics and verify functional performance of ROICs respectively with significantly different solvers. Some physics solvers provide the capability of transferring data to the EDA tool. However, single pixel transient simulations are either not feasible due to convergence difficulties or are prohibitively long. A simplified sensor model, which includes a current pulse in parallel with detector equivalent capacitor, is often used; even then, spice type top-level (entire array) simulations range from days to weeks. In order to analyze detector deficiencies for a particular scientific application, accurately defined transient behavioral models of all the functional blocks are required. Furthermore, various simulations, such as transient, noise, Monte Carlo, inter-pixel effects, etc. of the entire array need to be performed within a reasonable time frame without trading off accuracy. The sensor and the analog front-end can be modeling using a real number modeling language, as complex mathematical functions or detailed data can be saved to text files, for further top-level digital simulations. Parasitically aware digital timing is extracted in a standard delay format (sdf) from the pixel digital back-end layout as well as the periphery of the ROIC. For any given input, detector level worst-case and best-case simulations are performed using a Verilog simulation environment to determine the output. Each top-level transient simulation takes no more than 10-15 minutes. The impact of changing key parameters such as sensor Poissonian shot noise, analog front-end bandwidth, jitter due to clock distribution etc. can be accurately analyzed to determine ROIC architectural viability and bottlenecks. Hence the impact of the detector parameters on the scientific application can be studied.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2018

Dark energy survey operations: years 4 and 5

The Dark Energy Survey is a “stage III” dark energy experiment, performing an optical imaging survey to measure cos-mological equation of state parameters using four independent methods. The scope and complexity of the survey, originallyscheduled for 525 nights of observing spread over five years and combining a 5000 degree wide survey with a 10 field weeklytime-domain survey, introduced complex strategic and tactical scheduling problems that needed to be addressed. We beginwith an overview of the process used to develop DES strategy and tactics, from the inception of the project, to task forces thatstudied and developed strategy changes over the course of the survey, to the nightly pre-observing meeting in which imme-diate tactical issues were addressed. We then summarize the strategic choices made for each sub-survey, including metrics,scheduling considerations, choice of time domain fields and their sequences of exposures, and wide survey footprint andpointing layout choices. We go on to describe the detailed process that determined which specific exposures were taken atwhich specific times. We give a chronology of the strategic and tactical peculiarities of each year of observing, including theproposal and execution of a sixth year. We give an overview ofobstac, the implementation of the DES scheduler used to sim-ulate and evaluate strategic and tactical options, and automate exposure scheduling; and describe developments inobstacfor use after DES. Appendices describe further details of data quality evaluation,τ, andteff; airmass calculation; and model-ing of the seeing and sky brightness. The significant corpus of DES data indicates that the simple scaling relations for seeingas a function of wavelength and airmass derived from the Kolmogorov turbulence model work adequately for exposureplanning purposes: deviations from these relations are modest in comparison with short time-scale seeing variations

Gruendl, Robert A.↗

DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-T-108: Development of a Novel Clinical Neutron Dose Monitor for Proton Therapy Based On Twin TLD500 Chips in a Small PE Moderator

Purpose: In proton therapy, it could be desirable to measure out-of-field fast neutron doses at critical locations near and outside the patient body. Methods: The working principle of a novel clinical neutron dose monitor is verified by MCNPX simulation. The device is based on a small PE moderator of just 5.5cm side length for easy handling covered with a thermal neutron suppression layer. In the simulation, a polystyrene phantom is bombarded with a standard proton beam. The secondary thermal neutron flux produced inside the moderator by the impinging fast neutrons from the treatment volume is estimated by pairs of α-Al2O3:C (TLD500) chips which are evaluated offline after the treatment either by TL or OSL methods. The first chip is wrapped with 0.5mm natural Gadolinium foil converting the thermal neutrons to gammas via (n,γ) reaction. The second chip is wrapped with a dummy material. The chip centers have a distance of 2cm from each other. Results: The simulation shows that the difference of gamma doses in the TLD500 chips is correlated to the mean fast neutron dose delivered to the moderator material. Different outer shielding materials have been studied. 0.5mm Cadmium shielding is preferred for cost reasons and convenience. Replacement of PE moderator material by other materials like lead or iron at any place is unfavorable. The spatial orientation of the moderator cube is uncritical. Using variance reduction techniques like splitting/Russian roulette, the TLD500 gamma dose simulation give positive differences up to distances of 0.5m from the treatment volume. Conclusion: Applicability and basic layout of a novel clinical neutron dose monitor are demonstrated. The monitor measures PE neutron doses at locations outside the patient body up to distances of 0.5m from the treatment volume. Tissue neutron doses may be calculated using neutron kerma factors.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-T-273: Radiation Shielding for a Fixed Horizontal-Beam Linac in a Shipping Container and a Conventional Treatment Vault

Purpose: A fixed horizontal-beam linac, where the patient is treated in a seated position, could lower the overall costs of the treatment unit and room shielding substantially. This design also allows the treatment room and control area to be contained within a reduced space, such as a shipping container. The main application is the introduction of low-cost, high-quality radiation therapy to low- and middle-income regions. Here we consider shielding for upright treatments with a fixed-6MV-beam linac in a shipping container and a conventional treatment vault. Methods: Shielding calculations were done for two treatment room layouts using calculation methods in NCRP Report 151: (1) a shipping container (6m × 2.4m with the remaining space occupied by the console area), and (2) the treatment vault in NCRP 151 (7.8m by 5.4m by 3.4m). The shipping container has a fixed gantry that points in one direction at all times. For the treatment vault, various beam directions were evaluated. Results: The shipping container requires a primary barrier of 168cm concrete (4.5 TVL), surrounded by a secondary barrier of 3.6 TVL. The other walls require between 2.8–3.3 TVL. Multiple shielding calculations were done along the side wall. The results show that patient scatter increases in the forward direction and decreases dramatically in the backward direction. Leakage scatter also varies along the wall, depending largely on the distance between the gantry and the wall. For the treatment room, fixed-beam requires a slightly thicker primary barrier than the conventional linac (0.6 TVL), although this barrier is only needed in the center of one wall. The secondary barrier is different only by 0–0.2 TVL. Conclusion: This work shows that (1) the shipping container option is achievable, using indigenous materials for shielding and (2) upright treatments can be performed in a conventional treatment room with minimal additional shielding. Varian Medical Systems.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-T-387: Achieving Optimal Patient Setup Imaging and Treatment Workflow Configurations in Multi-Room Proton Centers

Purpose: To simulate patient flow in proton treatment center under uncertainty and to explore the feasibility of treatment preparation rooms to improve patient throughput and cyclotron utilization. Methods: Three center layout scenarios were modeled: (S1: In-Tx room imaging) patient setup and imaging (planar/volumetric) performed in treatment room, (S2: Patient setup in preparation room) each treatment room was assigned with preparation room(s) that was equipped with lasers only for patient setup and gross patient alignment, and (S3: Patient setup and imaging in preparation room) preparation room(s) was equipped with laser and volumetric imaging for patient setup, gross and fine patient alignment. A 'snap' imaging was performed in treatment room. For each scenario, the number of treatment rooms and the number of preparation rooms serving each treatment room were varied. We examined our results (average of 100 16-hour (two shifts) working days) by evaluating patient throughput and cyclotron utilization. Results: When the number of treatment rooms increased ([from, to]) [1, 5], daily patient throughput increased [32, 161], [29, 184] and [27, 184] and cyclotron utilization increased [13%, 85%], [12%, 98%], and [11%, 98%] for scenarios S1, S2 and S3 respectively. However, both measures plateaued after 4 rooms. With the preparation rooms, the throughput and the cyclotron utilization increased by 14% and 15%, respectively. Three preparation rooms were optimal to serve 1-3 treatment rooms and two preparation rooms were optimal to serve 4 or 5 treatment rooms. Conclusion: Patient preparation rooms for patient setup may increase throughput and decrease the need for additional treatment rooms (cost effective). Optimal number of preparation rooms serving each gantry room varies as a function of treatment rooms and patient setup scenarios. A 5th treatment room may not be justified by throughput or utilization.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-T-455: Characterization of 3D Printed Materials for Proton Beam Therapy

Purpose: The widespread availability of low cost 3D printing technologies provides an alternative fabrication method for customized proton range modifying accessories such as compensators and boluses. However the material properties of the printed object are dependent on the printing technology used. In order to facilitate the application of 3D printing in proton therapy, this study investigated the stopping power of several printed materials using both proton pencil beam measurements and Monte Carlo simulations. Methods: Five 3–4 cm cubes fabricated using three 3D printing technologies (selective laser sintering, fused-deposition modeling and stereolithography) from five printers were investigated. The cubes were scanned on a CT scanner and the depth dose curves for a mono-energetic pencil beam passing through the material were measured using a large parallel plate ion chamber in a water tank. Each cube was measured from two directions (perpendicular and parallel to printing plane) to evaluate the effects of the anisotropic material layout. The results were compared with GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulation using the manufacturer specified material density and chemical composition data. Results: Compared with water, the differences from the range pull back by the printed blocks varied and corresponded well with the material CT Hounsfield unit. The measurement results were in agreement with Monte Carlo simulation. However, depending on the technology, inhomogeneity existed in the printed cubes evidenced from CT images. The effect of such inhomogeneity on the proton beam is to be investigated. Conclusion: Printed blocks by three different 3D printing technologies were characterized for proton beam with measurements and Monte Carlo simulation. The effects of the printing technologies in proton range and stopping power were studied. The derived results can be applied when specific devices are used in proton radiotherapy.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-QI-16: Reproducibility of Computed Tomography Quantitative Structural Features Using the FDA Thoracic Phantom Image Database

Purpose: To assess the reproducibility of quantitative structural features using images from the computed tomography thoracic FDA phantom database under different scanning conditions. Methods: Development of quantitative image features to describe lesion shape and size, beyond conventional RECIST measures, is an evolving area of research in need of benchmarking standards. Gavrielides et al. (2010) scanned a FDA-developed thoracic phantom with nodules of various Hounsfield units (HU) values, shapes and sizes close to vascular structures using several scanners and varying scanning conditions/parameters; these images are in the public domain. We tested six structural features, namely, Convexity, Perimeter, Major Axis, Minor Axis, Extent Mean and Eccentricity, to characterize lung nodules. Convexity measures lesion irregularity referenced to a convex surface. Previously, we showed it to have prognostic value in lung adenocarcinoma. The above metrics and RECIST measures were evaluated on three spiculated (8mm/-300HU, 12mm/+30HU and 15mm/+30HU) and two non-spiculated (8mm/+100HU and 10mm/+100HU) nodules (from layout 2) imaged at three different mAs values: 25, 100 and 200 mAs; on a Phillips scanner (16-slice Mx8000-IDT; 3mm slice thickness). The nodules were segmented semi-automatically using a commercial software tool; the same HU range was used for all nodules. Results: Analysis showed convexity having the lowest maximum coefficient of variation (MCV): 1.1% and 0.6% for spiculated and non-spiculated nodules, respectively, much lower compared to RECIST Major and Minor axes whose MCV were 10.1% and 13.4% for spiculated, and 1.9% and 2.3% for non-spiculated nodules, respectively, across the various mAs. MCVs were consistently larger for speculated nodules. In general, the dependence of structural features on mAs (noise) was low. Conclusion: The FDA phantom CT database may be used for benchmarking of structural features for various scanners and scanning conditions; we used only a small fraction of available data. Our feature convexity outperformed other structural features including RECIST measures.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2015

TU-G-213-00: The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): What Is It and Why Should Medical Physicists Care?

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) writes standards that manufacturers of electrical equipment must comply with. Medical electrical equipment, such as medical imaging, radiation therapy, and radiation dosimetry devices, fall under Technical Committee 62. Of particular interest to medical physicists are the standards developed within Subcommittees (SC) 62B, which addresses diagnostic radiological imaging equipment, and 62C, which addresses equipment for radiation therapy, nuclear medicine and dosimetry. For example, a Working Group of SC 62B is responsible for safety and quality assurance standards for CT scanners and a Working Group of SC 62C is responsible for standards that set requirements for dosimetric safety and accuracy of linacs and proton accelerators. IEC standards thus have an impact on every aspect of a medical physicist’s job, including equipment testing, shielding design, room layout, and workflow. Consequently, it is imperative that US medical physicists know about existing standards, as well as have input on those under development or undergoing revision. The structure of the IEC and current standards development work will be described in detail. The presentation will explain how US medical physicists can learn about IEC standards and contribute to their development. Learning Objectives: Learn about the structure of the IEC and the influence that IEC standards have on the design of equipment for radiology and radiation therapy. Learn about the mechanisms by which the US participates in the development and revision of standards. Understand the specific requirements of several standards having direct relevance to diagnostic and radiation therapy physicists.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2015

TU-G-213-01: IEC and US Committee Activities and Organizational Structure

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) writes standards that manufacturers of electrical equipment must comply with. Medical electrical equipment, such as medical imaging, radiation therapy, and radiation dosimetry devices, fall under Technical Committee 62. Of particular interest to medical physicists are the standards developed within Subcommittees (SC) 62B, which addresses diagnostic radiological imaging equipment, and 62C, which addresses equipment for radiation therapy, nuclear medicine and dosimetry. For example, a Working Group of SC 62B is responsible for safety and quality assurance standards for CT scanners and a Working Group of SC 62C is responsible for standards that set requirements for dosimetric safety and accuracy of linacs and proton accelerators. IEC standards thus have an impact on every aspect of a medical physicist’s job, including equipment testing, shielding design, room layout, and workflow. Consequently, it is imperative that US medical physicists know about existing standards, as well as have input on those under development or undergoing revision. The structure of the IEC and current standards development work will be described in detail. The presentation will explain how US medical physicists can learn about IEC standards and contribute to their development. Learning Objectives: Learn about the structure of the IEC and the influence that IEC standards have on the design of equipment for radiology and radiation therapy. Learn about the mechanisms by which the US participates in the development and revision of standards. Understand the specific requirements of several standards having direct relevance to diagnostic and radiation therapy physicists.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2015

TU-G-213-02: IEC Subcommittee 62B (Diagnostic Imaging Equipment): Recent and Active Projects

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) writes standards that manufacturers of electrical equipment must comply with. Medical electrical equipment, such as medical imaging, radiation therapy, and radiation dosimetry devices, fall under Technical Committee 62. Of particular interest to medical physicists are the standards developed within Subcommittees (SC) 62B, which addresses diagnostic radiological imaging equipment, and 62C, which addresses equipment for radiation therapy, nuclear medicine and dosimetry. For example, a Working Group of SC 62B is responsible for safety and quality assurance standards for CT scanners and a Working Group of SC 62C is responsible for standards that set requirements for dosimetric safety and accuracy of linacs and proton accelerators. IEC standards thus have an impact on every aspect of a medical physicist’s job, including equipment testing, shielding design, room layout, and workflow. Consequently, it is imperative that US medical physicists know about existing standards, as well as have input on those under development or undergoing revision. The structure of the IEC and current standards development work will be described in detail. The presentation will explain how US medical physicists can learn about IEC standards and contribute to their development. Learning Objectives: Learn about the structure of the IEC and the influence that IEC standards have on the design of equipment for radiology and radiation therapy. Learn about the mechanisms by which the US participates in the development and revision of standards. Understand the specific requirements of several standards having direct relevance to diagnostic and radiation therapy physicists.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2015

TU-G-213-03: IEC Subcommittee 62C (Equipment for Radiotherapy, Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Dosimetry): Recent and Active Projects

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) writes standards that manufacturers of electrical equipment must comply with. Medical electrical equipment, such as medical imaging, radiation therapy, and radiation dosimetry devices, fall under Technical Committee 62. Of particular interest to medical physicists are the standards developed within Subcommittees (SC) 62B, which addresses diagnostic radiological imaging equipment, and 62C, which addresses equipment for radiation therapy, nuclear medicine and dosimetry. For example, a Working Group of SC 62B is responsible for safety and quality assurance standards for CT scanners and a Working Group of SC 62C is responsible for standards that set requirements for dosimetric safety and accuracy of linacs and proton accelerators. IEC standards thus have an impact on every aspect of a medical physicist’s job, including equipment testing, shielding design, room layout, and workflow. Consequently, it is imperative that US medical physicists know about existing standards, as well as have input on those under development or undergoing revision. The structure of the IEC and current standards development work will be described in detail. The presentation will explain how US medical physicists can learn about IEC standards and contribute to their development. Learning Objectives: Learn about the structure of the IEC and the influence that IEC standards have on the design of equipment for radiology and radiation therapy. Learn about the mechanisms by which the US participates in the development and revision of standards. Understand the specific requirements of several standards having direct relevance to diagnostic and radiation therapy physicists.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2016

SU-G-JeP1-13: Innovative Tracking Detector for Dose Monitoring in Hadron Therapy: Realization and Monte Carlo Simulations

Purpose: Development of strategies to monitor range uncertainties is necessary to improve treatment planning in Charged Particle Therapy (CPT) and fully exploit the advantages of ion beams. Our group developed (within the framework of the INSIDE project funded by the Italian research ministry) and is currently building a compact detector Dose Profiler (DP) able to backtrack charged secondary particles produced in the patient during the irradiation. Furthermore we are studying monitoring strategy exploiting charged secondary emission profiles to control the range of the ion beam. Methods: This contribution reports on the DP detector design and construction status. The detector consists of a charged secondary tracker composed of scintillating fiber layers and a LYSO calorimeter for particles energy measurement.The detector layout has been optimized using the FLUKA Monte Carlo (MC) simulation software. The simulation of a 220 MeV Carbon beam impinging on a PMMA target has been performed to study the detector response, exploiting previous secondary radiation measurements performed by our group. The emission profile of charged secondary particles was reconstructed backtracking the particles to their generation point to benchmark the DP performances. Results: The DP construction status, including the technological details will be presented. The feasibility of range monitoring with DP will be demonstrated by means of MC studies. The correlation of the charged secondary particles emission shape with the position of the Bragg peak (BP) will be shown, as well as the spatial resolution achievable on the BP position estimation (less than 3 mm) in the clinical like conditions. Conclusion: The simulation studies supported the feasibility of an accurate range monitoring technique exploiting the use of charged secondary fragments emitted during the particle therapy treatment. The DP experimental tests are foreseen in 2016, at CNAO particle therapy center in Pavia.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2018

Mechanically active materials in three-dimensional mesostructures

Complex, three-dimensional (3D) mesostructures that incorporate advanced, mechanically active materials are of broad, growing interest for their potential use in many emerging systems. The technology implications range from precision-sensing microelectromechanical systems, to tissue scaffolds that exploit the principles of mechanobiology, to mechanical energy harvesters that support broad bandwidth operation. The work presented here introduces strategies in guided assembly and heterogeneous materials integration as routes to complex, 3D microscale mechanical frameworks that incorporate multiple, independently addressable piezoelectric thin-film actuators for vibratory excitation and precise control. The approach combines transfer printing as a scheme for materials integration with structural buckling as a means for 2D-to-3D geometric transformation, for designs that range from simple, symmetric layouts to complex, hierarchical configurations, on planar or curvilinear surfaces. Systematic experimental and computational studies reveal the underlying characteristics and capabilities, including selective excitation of targeted vibrational modes for simultaneous measurements of viscosity and density of surrounding fluids. The results serve as the foundations for unusual classes of mechanically active 3D mesostructures with unique functions relevant to biosensing, mechanobiology, energy harvesting, and others.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2015

Assembly of micro/nanomaterials into complex, three-dimensional architectures by compressive buckling

Popping materials and devices from 2D into 3D Curved, thin, flexible complex three-dimensional (3D) structures can be very hard to manufacture at small length scales. Xu et al. develop an ingenious design strategy for the microfabrication of complex geometric 3D mesostructures that derive from the out-of-plane buckling of an originally planar structural layout (see the Perspective by Ye and Tsukruk). Finite element analysis of the mechanics makes it possible to design the two 2D patterns, which is then attached to a previously strained substrate at a number of points. Relaxing of the substrate causes the patterned material to bend and buckle, leading to its 3D shape. Science , this issue p. 154 ; see also p. 130

Xu, Sheng↗

DOE OSTI2016

On the possibility for precision measurements of differential cross sections for elastic proton–proton scattering at the Protvino accelerator

Elastic-scattering data were analyzed, and it was concluded on the basis of this analysis that precisionmeasurements of differential cross sections for elastic proton–proton scattering at the accelerator of the Institute for High Energy Physics (IHEP, Protvino, Russia) over a broad momentum-transfer range are of importance and topical interest. The layout of the respective experimental facility detecting the scattered particle and recoil proton and possessing a high momentum-transfer resolution was examined along with the equipment constituting this facility. The facility in question is able to record up to a billion events of elastic proton–proton scattering per IHEP accelerator run (20 days). Other lines of physics research with this facility are briefly discussed.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2014

A new forward spectrometer for PHENIX

In the last decade PHENIX has accessed via longitudinal double spin asymmetries the gluon helicity inside the proton, started probing flavor dependent valence and sea quark helicity distributions and started to explore the proton transverse spin structure. A major upgrade is planned for the next decade that will provide an increased acceptance and additional tracking and electromagnetic plus hadronic calorimetry in the forward region. Here, the layout of the new forward detector system will be discussed, together with the new insights in the proton spin structure that the new forward PHENIX spectrometer will provide.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2016

Microwave capillary torch as a means for modifying the electrophysical characteristics of metal surfaces

An experiment layout based on a pulsed capillary microwave torch and making it possible to excite an explosive emission microplasma on a metal surface in open air is implemented for the first time. It is shown that a microrelief in the form of micron-size microcraters forms on the initially smooth surface under the action of microsparks. As a result, the maximum secondary electron emission yield σ{sub max} decreases from ∼2 for the untreated surface to ∼0.4 for the rough treated surface and remains low for a long time when exposed to atmospheric air.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2019

High-Voltage AlInGaN LED Chips

A high-voltage light-emitting diode (LED) flip chip based on an AlInGaN heterostructure is developed and fabricated. The LED flip chip consists of 16 elements connected in series, each of which is a convential LED. The chip with a total area of 1.25 × 1.25 mm is intended for a working current of 20 mA and a forward voltage of 48 V. To improve the current-distribution uniformity over the active region of the chip elements and to minimize the losses of the element area occupied by the n-type contact, the n-type contact pads in them are arranged inside the p-type contact region due to the two-level metallization layout with an intermediate insulating layer of dielectric. The arrangement topology of the contact pads is developed using numerical simulation. An increase in the quantum efficiency of the chip is provided by the application of combinations of metals with a high reflectance at the LED emission wavelength, which are used when fabricating n- and p-type contacts as well as current-carrying strips.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗