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At least 1,207 records · Page 67

SU-E-T-304: Study of Secondary Neutrons From Uniform Scanning Proton Beams

Purpose: Secondary neutrons are unwanted byproducts from proton therapy and exposure from secondary radiation during treatment could increase risk of developing a secondary cancer later in a patient's lifetime. The purpose of this study is to investigate secondary neutrons from uniform scanning proton beams under various beam conditions using both measurements and Monte Carlo simulations. Methods: CR-39 Plastic Track Nuclear Detectors (PNTD) were used for the measurement. CR-39 PNTD has tissue like sensitivity to the secondary neutrons but insensitive to the therapeutic protons. In this study, we devised two experimental conditions: a) hollow-phantom; phantom is bored with a hollow cylinder along the direction of the beam so that the primary proton passes through the phantom without interacting with the phantom material, b) cylindrical-phantom; a solid cylinder of diameter close to the beam diameter is placed along the beam path. CR-39 PNTDs were placed laterally inside a 60X20X35 cm3 phantom (hollow-phantom) and in air (cylindrical-phantom) at various angles with respect to the primary beam axis. We studied for three different proton energies (78 MeV, 162 MeV and 226 MeV), using a 4 cm modulation width and 5cm diameter brass aperture for the entire experiment and simulation. A comparison of the experiment was performed using the Monte Carlo code FLUKA. Results: The measured secondary neutron dose equivalent per therapeutic primary proton dose (H/D) ranges from 2.1 ± 0.2 to 25.42 ± 2.3 mSv/Gy for the hollow phantom study, and 2.7 ± 0.3 to 46.4 ± 3.4 mSv/Gy for the cylindrical phantom study. Monte Carlo simulations predicated neutron dose equivalent from measurements within a factor of 5. Conclusion: The study suggests that the production of external neutrons is significantly higher than the production of internal neutrons.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

A comparative study of small field total scatter factors and dose profiles using plastic scintillation detectors and other stereotactic dosimeters: The case of the CyberKnife

Purpose: Small-field dosimetry is challenging, and the main limitations of most dosimeters are insufficient spatial resolution, water nonequivalence, and energy dependence. The purpose of this study was to compare plastic scintillation detectors (PSDs) to several commercial stereotactic dosimeters by measuring total scatter factors and dose profiles on a CyberKnife system. Methods: Two PSDs were developed, having sensitive volumes of 0.196 and 0.785 mm{sup 3}, and compared with other detectors. The spectral discrimination method was applied to subtract Cerenkov light from the signal. Both PSDs were compared to four commercial stereotactic dosimeters by measuring total scatter factors, namely, an IBA dosimetry stereotactic field diode (SFD), a PTW 60008 silicon diode, a PTW 60012 silicon diode, and a microLion. The measured total scatter factors were further compared with those of two independent Monte Carlo studies. For the dose profiles, two commercial detectors were used for the comparison, i.e., a PTW 60012 silicon diode and Gafchromics EBT2. Total scatter factors for a CyberKnife system were measured in circular fields with diameters from 5 to 60 mm. Dose profiles were measured for the 5- and 60-mm cones. The measurements were performed in a water tank at a 1.5-cm depth and an 80-cm source-axis distance. Results: The total scatter factors measured using all the detectors agreed within 1% with the Monte Carlo values for cones of 20 mm or greater in diameter. For cones of 10-20 mm in diameter, the PTW 60008 silicon diode was the only dosimeter whose measurements did not agree within 1% with the Monte Carlo values. For smaller fields (<10 mm), each dosimeter type showed different behaviors. The silicon diodes over-responded because of their water nonequivalence; the microLion and 1.0-mm PSD under-responded because of a volume-averaging effect; and the 0.5-mm PSD was the only detector within the uncertainties of the Monte Carlo simulations for all the cones. The PSDs, the PTW 60012 silicon diode, and the Gafchromics EBT2 agreed within 2% and 0.2 mm (gamma evaluation) for the measured dose profiles except in the tail of the 60-mm cone. Conclusions: Silicon diodes can be used to accurately measure small-field dose profiles but not to measure total scatter factors, whereas PSDs can be used to accurately measure both. The authors' measurements show that the use of a 1.0-mm PSD resulted in a negligible volume-averaging effect (under-response of Almost-Equal-To 1%) down to a field size of 5 mm. Therefore, PSDs are strong candidates to become reference radiosurgery detectors for beam characterization and quality assurance measurements.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

The CMS Phase-2 Fast Beam Condition Monitor prototype test with beam

The Fast Beam Condition Monitor (FBCM) is a standalone luminometer for the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) program of the CMS Experiment at CERN. The detector is under development and features a new, radiation-hard, front-end application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) designed for beam monitoring applications. The achieved timing resolution of a few nanoseconds enables the measurement of both the luminosity and the beam-induced background. The ASIC, called FBCM23, features six channels with adjustable shaping times, enabling in-field fine-tuning. Each ASIC channel outputs a single binary asynchronous signal encoding time-of-arrival and time-over-threshold information. The FBCM is based on silicon-pad sensors, with two sensor designs presently being considered. This paper presents the results of tests of the FBCM detector prototype using both types of silicon sensors with hadron, muon, and electron beams. Irradiated FBCM23 ASICs and silicon-pad sensors were also tested to simulate the expected conditions near the end of the detector's lifetime in the HL-LHC radiation environment. Based on test results, direct bonding between the sensor and ASIC was chosen, and an optimal bias voltage and ASIC threshold for FBCM operation were proposed. The current design of the front-end test board was validated following the beam test and is now being used for the first front-end module, which is expected to be produced in summer 2025. These results represent a major step forward in validating the FBCM concept, first version of the firmware and establishing a reliable design path for the final detector.

Beam-line instrumentation (beam position and profi↗

Validation of neutron-induced reactions on natural carbon using an active target at neutron energies up to 22 MeV at LANSCE

A single crystal chemical vapor deposited (sCVD) diamond detector is used as an active target to measure neutron-induced reactions on natural carbon using the neutrons produced by spallation, with a broad energy spectrum at LANSCE. Additionally, the neutron-induced reactions are detected in the diamond as low as E n = 400 keV and up to approximately 100 MeV. Relative cross sections for C 12 ( n , α 0 ) , C 12 ( n , p 0 ) , C 12 ( n , d 0 + p 1 ) , and C 13 ( n , α 0 ) are reported up to E n = 22 MeV and comparisons on detected pulse-height spectra and detector response of scattering reactions are made with GEANT4 simulations using the ENDF/B-VIII.0 evaluated nuclear data library up to 20 MeV. The results are compared with past experimental data, including other works that incorporate diamond detectors as an active carbon target. In addition, R-matrix calculations for the C 13 + n system are presented.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Monte Carlo simulation of the dose response of a novel 2D silicon diode array for use in hybrid MRI–LINAC systems

Purpose: MRI-guided radiation therapy systems (MRIgRT) are being developed to improve online imaging during treatment delivery. At present, the operation of single point dosimeters and an ionization chamber array have been characterized in such systems. This work investigates a novel 2D diode array, named “magic plate,” for both single point calibration and 2D positional performance, the latter being a key element of modern radiotherapy techniques that will be delivered by these systems. Methods: GEANT4 Monte Carlo methods have been employed to study the dose response of a silicon diode array to 6 MV photon beams, in the presence of in-line and perpendicularly aligned uniform magnetic fields. The array consists of 121 silicon diodes (dimensions 1.5 × 1.5 × 0.38 mm{sup 3}) embedded in kapton substrate with 1 cm pitch, spanning a 10 × 10 cm{sup 2} area in total. A geometrically identical, water equivalent volume was simulated concurrently for comparison. The dose response of the silicon diode array was assessed for various photon beam field shapes and sizes, including an IMRT field, at 1 T. The dose response was further investigated at larger magnetic field strengths (1.5 and 3 T) for a 4 × 4 cm{sup 2} photon field size. Results: The magic plate diode array shows excellent correspondence (< ± 1%) to water dose in the in-line orientation, for all beam arrangements and magnetic field strengths investigated. The perpendicular orientation, however, exhibits a dose shift with respect to water at the high-dose-gradient beam edge of jaw-defined fields [maximum (4.3 ± 0.8)% over-response, maximum (1.8 ± 0.8)% under-response on opposing side for 1 T, uncertainty 1σ]. The trend is not evident in areas with in-field dose gradients typical of IMRT dose maps. Conclusions: A novel 121 pixel silicon diode array detector has been characterized by Monte Carlo simulation for its performance inside magnetic fields representative of current prototype and proposed MRI–linear accelerator systems. In the in-line orientation, the silicon dose is directly proportional to the water dose. In the perpendicular orientation, there is a shift in dose response relative to water in the highest dose gradient regions, at the edge of jaw-defined and single-segment MLC fields. The trend was not observed in-field for an IMRT beam. The array is expected to be a valuable tool in MRIgRT dosimetry.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Detection of Missing Assemblies and Estimation of the Scattering Densities in a VSC-24 Dry Storage Cask with Cosmic-Ray-Muon-Based Computed Tomography

We report that highly energetic, cosmic-ray muons can penetrate a dry storage cask and yield information about the material inside it by making use of the physics of multiple Coulomb scattering. Work by others has shown this information may be used for verification of dry storage cask contents after continuity of knowledge has been lost. In our modeling and simulation approach, we use ideal planar radiation detectors to record the trajectories and momentum of both incident and exiting cosmic ray muons; this choice allows us to demonstrate the fundamental limit of the technology for a particular measurement and reconstruction method. In a method analogous to computed tomography with the attenuation coefficient replaced by scattering density, we apply a filtered back projection algorithm in order to reconstruct the geometry in modeled scenarios for a VSC-24 concrete-walled cask. We also report on our attempt to estimate material-specific information. A scenario where one of the middle four spent nuclear fuel assemblies is missing—undetectable with a simple PoCA-based approach—is expected to be detectable with a CT-based approach. Moreover, a trickier scenario where one or more assemblies is replaced by a dummy assembly is put forward. Lastly, in this case, we expect that this dry storage cask should be found to be not as declared based on our simulation and reconstruction results.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Monte Carlo Studies of the Radiation Fields in the Linac Coherent Light Source Undulators and of the Corresponding Signals in the Cerenkov Beam Loss Monitors

In 2009 the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at the SLAC National Accelerator Center started free electron laser (FEL) operation. In order to continue to produce the bright and short-pulsed x-ray laser demanded by FEL scientists, this pioneer hard x-ray FEL requires a perfectly tailored magnetic field at the undulators, so that the photons generated at the electron wiggling path interact at the right phase with the electron beam. In such a precise system, small (>0.01%) radiation-induced alterations of the magnetic field in the permanent magnets could affect FEL performance. This paper describes the simulation studies of radiation fields in permanent magnets and the expected signal in the detectors. The transport of particles from the radiation sources (i.e. diagnostic insert) to the undulator magnets and to the beam loss monitors (BLM) was simulated with the intra nuclear cascade codes FLUKA and MARS15. In order to accurately reproduce the optics of LCLS, lattice capabilities and magnetic fields were enabled in FLUKA and betatron oscillations were validated against reference data. All electron events entering the BLMs were printed in data files. The paper also introduces the Radioactive Ion Beam Optimizer (RIBO) Monte Carlo 3-D code, which was used to read from the event files, to compute Cerenkov production and then to simulate the optical coupling of the BLM detectors, accounting for the transmission of light through the quartz.

COMP, SAFETY, XFEL, OTHER↗

Spectroscopy identification performance enhancement of a novel CZT/CsI hybrid system

New hybrid spectroscopic systems directly combine spectra from detectors with very different energy resolutions, accommodating standard analyses of the output hybrid spectrum. Simulations of a hybrid system consisting of a 2 or 4 cm{sup 3} cadmium zinc telluride detector combined with a 32.8 cm{sup 3} CsI(Tl) were evaluated for identification performance. 29 nuclides of interest for security applications were simulated as singles and unique pairs, producing 435 spectral simulations at live times of 3, 10, 30, 100 and 300 seconds. The nuclides were modeled as point sources at 25 cm with activities that provide an interesting range of statistical significance for the range of counting times. Standard nuclide identification analyses were applied to the component detectors as well as the hybrid combination. Tallies of the results were used to calculate true and false identification rates. The hybrid system was shown to provide an identification performance benefit, consistently achieving performances closest to ideal relative to the separate component detectors. The hybrid approach enables the consideration of a greater variety of measurement system solutions in terms of cost and performance. (authors)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Influence of deep levels on the electrical transport properties of CdZnTeSe detectors

Here, we investigated the influence of deep levels on the electrical transport properties of CdZnTeSe radiation detectors by comparing experimental data with numerical simulations based on the simultaneous solution of drift-diffusion and Posisson equations, including the Shockley-Read-Hall model of the carrier trapping. We determined the Schottky barrier heights and the Fermi level position from I-V measurements. We measured the time evolution of the electric field and the electrical current after the application of a voltage bias. We observed that the electrical properties of CZTS are fundamentally governed by two deep levels close to the mid-bandgap - one recombination and one hole trap. We show that the hole trap indirectly increases the mobility-lifetime product of electrons. We conclude that the structure of deep levels in CZTS are favorable for high electrical charge transport.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Flow and thermal modelling of the argon volume in the DarkSide-20k TPC

The DarkSide-20k dark matter experiment, currently under construction at LNGS, features a dual-phase time projection chamber (TPC) with a ∼ 50 t argon target from an underground well. At this scale, it is crucial to optimise the argon flow pattern for efficient target purification and for fast distribution of internal gaseous calibration sources with lifetimes of the order of hours. To this end, we have performed computational fluid dynamics simulations and heat transfer calculations. The residence time distribution shows that the detector is well-mixed on time-scales of the turnover time (∼ 40 d). Notably, simulations show that despite a two-order-of-magnitude difference between the turnover time and the half-life of 83m Kr of 1.83 h, source atoms have the highest probability to reach the centre of the TPC 13 min after their injection, allowing for a homogeneous distribution before undergoing radioactive decay. We further analyse the thermal aspects of dual-phase operation and define the requirements for the formation of a stable gas pocket on top of the liquid. We find a best-estimate value for the heat transfer rate at the liquid-gas interface of 62 W with an upper limit of 144 W and a minimum gas pocket inlet temperature of 89 K to avoid condensation on the acrylic anode. This study also informs the placement of liquid inlets and outlets in the TPC. The presented techniques are widely applicable to other large-scale, noble-liquid detectors.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

A Comparison of Monte-Carlo Simulations and Data from MicroBooNE

This note presents a first comparison of data and Monte-Carlo (MC) simulation at the MicroBooNE experiment, a surface-level liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) located in the Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Before any analysis can be validated, it is important to ensure understanding of both the performance of the detector and the reconstruction algorithms. Comparing data with simulation can contribute to this effort.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

High-Efficiency Thermoelectric Single-Photon Detector Based on Lanthanum and Cerium Hexaborides

A design for a high-efficiency single-photon detector based on lanthanum and cerium hexaborides, which operates from the infrared to ultraviolet spectral ranges, is suggested. The results of computer simulations of heat transfer in the sensitive element of the detector upon the absorption of photons with energies of 0.5–4.13 eV are presented. To attain a high efficiency of the system of photon detection in the wavelength range from near infrared to ultraviolet, lanthanum hexaboride is proposed as the absorber and heat-sink material in the sensitive element. It is shown that a sensitive element of both single- and three-layer design made entirely of hexaborides will possess a gigahertz counting rate and a detection efficiency exceeding 90%.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Artificial Neural Network as the FPGA Trigger in the Cyclone V based Front-End for a Detection of Neutrino-Origin Showers

Neutrinos play a fundamental role in the understanding of the origin of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays. They interact through charged and neutral currents in the atmosphere generating extensive air showers. However, their a very low rate of events potentially generated by neutrinos is a significant challenge for a detection technique and requires both sophisticated algorithms and high-resolution hardware. A trigger based on a artificial neural network was implemented into the Cyclone{sup R} V E FPGA 5CEFA9F31I7 - the heart of the prototype Front-End boards developed for tests of new algorithms in the Pierre Auger surface detectors. Showers for muon and tau neutrino initiating particles on various altitudes, angles and energies were simulated in CORSICA and Offline platforms giving pattern of ADC traces in Auger water Cherenkov detectors. The 3-layer 12-8-1 neural network was taught in MATLAB by simulated ADC traces according the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. Results show that a probability of a ADC traces generation is very low due to a small neutrino cross-section. Nevertheless, ADC traces, if occur, for 1-10 EeV showers are relatively short and can be analyzed by 16-point input algorithm. We optimized the coefficients from MATLAB to get a maximal range of potentially registered events and for fixed-point FPGA processing to minimize calculation errors. New sophisticated triggers implemented in Cyclone{sup R} V E FPGAs with large amount of DSP blocks, embedded memory running with 120 - 160 MHz sampling may support a discovery of neutrino events in the Pierre Auger Observatory. (authors)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Simulating Weak Gravitational Lensing in the Roman Space Telescope Using JWST Observed Galaxies

Some of the most perplexing mysteries of our Universe are connected to the energy and mater we have been unable to physically observe. Making up about 95% of the Universe, dark energy and dark mater do not emit, absorb, nor reflect any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, and their existence is only inferred through their effects on the visible mater. For example, gravitational lensing is a phenomenon that refers to the magnification and shearing induced on light from distant galaxies caused by the gravitational potential of foreground mater. The amount of lensing is directly related to the total amount of mater present, not just the mater that emits light. Weak gravitational lensing, when these distortions are not as noticeable, allows for the entirety of the “cosmic web”, or large-scale structure, to be probed during dark mater searches instead of just the areas we know are dense with mater i.e. galaxy clusters. In order to properly measure weak lensing effects, accurate galaxy shape measurements that can be calibrated with simulations are required. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is the next upcoming NASA flagship mission. One of its main goals is elucidating the nature of dark mater and dark energy via ultra-wide field UV-NIR imaging surveys. Roman’s view is 100 times that of the Hubble Space Telescope, and we will be primed to measure large-scale structure in the context of weak lensing studies. In this poster, I will present our efforts to simulate JWST observed galaxies through the eyes of Roman. I will detail how we remove the PSF from a JWST NIRCam imaged galaxy, and add Roman filters and detector effects. We report the comparison between JWST and simulated Roman imaging, and place our results in the context of future weak lensing searches with Roman.

Amethyst S. Barnes↗

BrachyView, A novel inbody imaging system for HDR prostate brachytherapy: Design and Monte Carlo feasibility study

Purpose: High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy for treating prostate cancer whereby a high activity radiation source is moved between predefined positions inside applicators inserted within the treatment volume. Accurate positioning of the source is essential in delivering the desired dose to the target area while avoiding radiation injury to the surrounding tissue. In this paper, HDR BrachyView, a novel inbody dosimetric imaging system for real time monitoring and verification of the radioactive seed position in HDR prostate brachytherapy treatment is introduced. The current prototype consists of a 15 Multiplication-Sign 60 mm{sup 2} silicon pixel detector with a multipinhole tungsten collimator placed 6.5 mm above the detector. Seven identical pinholes allow full imaging coverage of the entire treatment volume. The combined pinhole and pixel sensor arrangement is geometrically designed to be able to resolve the three-dimensional location of the source. The probe may be rotated to keep the whole prostate within the transverse plane. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the efficacy of the design through computer simulation, and to estimate the accuracy in resolving the source position (in detector plane and in 3D space) as part of the feasibility study for the BrachyView project.Methods: Monte Carlo simulations were performed using the GEANT4 radiation transport model, with a {sup 192}Ir source placed in different locations within a prostate phantom. A geometrically accurate model of the detector and collimator were constructed. Simulations were conducted with a single pinhole to evaluate the pinhole design and the signal to background ratio obtained. Second, a pair of adjacent pinholes were simulated to evaluate the error in calculated source location.Results: Simulation results show that accurate determination of the true source position is easily obtainable within the typical one second source dwell time. The maximum error in the estimated projection position was found to be 0.95 mm in the imaging (detector) plane, resulting in a maximum source positioning estimation error of 1.48 mm.Conclusions: HDR BrachyView is a feasible design for real-time source tracking in HDR prostate brachytherapy. It is capable of resolving the source position within a subsecond dwell time. In combination with anatomical information obtained from transrectal ultrasound imaging, HDR BrachyView adds a significant quality assurance capability to HDR brachytherapy treatment systems.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

MO-E-17A-11: In-Phantom Detector Response in a Kilovoltage X-Ray Beam

Purpose: To investigate changes in detector response in a kilovoltage x-ray beam as a function of depth in phantom. Methods: Detector response in a 120kVp x-ray beam as a function of depth in a PMMA phantom was determined for a reference class Exradin A12 ionization chamber, an Exradin A1SL ionization chamber, TLD-100 and EBT3 radiochromic film and normalized to a depth of 1cm. The output of each detector was referenced to the A12 ionization chamber reading to assess changes in detector response as a function of depth. The BEAMnrc, DOSxyz, and egs-chamber user codes of the EGSnrc Monte Carlo code were used to calculate the dose delivered to the detectors from an x-ray source with similar beam quality to the one used in the measurements. Results: Changes in detector response relative to the A12 ionization chamber of 2%, 7%, and 14% for the A1SL, TLDs, and film, respectively, were observed with the larger changes in response occurring at larger depths. The Monte Carlo calculated changes in dose response showed less deviation, with the largest difference being within 2%. Conclusion: The Monte Carlo simulations show that doses delivered to the different detectors are quite similar, while measurements show that the detector output varies drastically. This indicates that the detector output per unit dose is changing with depth, most likely due to changes in the photon spectrum that occur because of scatter and attenuation of the primary beam. Because detector calibration is often performed at a single point in the kilovoltage energy range, the change in detector response needs to be considered when the measurement conditions differ from those of the calibration. This is of particular concern in computed tomography dose measurement, where calibrations are performed at shallow depths or in air, and measurements are made at deeper locations.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Separating gravitational wave signals from instrument artifacts

Central to the gravitational wave detection problem is the challenge of separating features in the data produced by astrophysical sources from features produced by the detector. Matched filtering provides an optimal solution for Gaussian noise, but in practice, transient noise excursions or ''glitches'' complicate the analysis. Detector diagnostics and coincidence tests can be used to veto many glitches which may otherwise be misinterpreted as gravitational wave signals. The glitches that remain can lead to long tails in the matched filter search statistics and drive up the detection threshold. Here we describe a Bayesian approach that incorporates a more realistic model for the instrument noise allowing for fluctuating noise levels that vary independently across frequency bands, and deterministic glitch fitting using wavelets as glitch templates, the number of which is determined by a transdimensional Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. We demonstrate the method's effectiveness on simulated data containing low amplitude gravitational wave signals from inspiraling binary black-hole systems, and simulated nonstationary and non-Gaussian noise comprised of a Gaussian component with the standard LIGO/Virgo spectrum, and injected glitches of various amplitude, prevalence, and variety. Glitch fitting allows us to detect significantly weaker signals than standard techniques.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗