Experimental characterization of radiation quality in proton therapy with semiconductor pixel detector

by Paulina Stasica (The Henryk Niewodniczański Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences, Cyclotron Centre Bronowice, Krakow, Poland)

Thursday 20 Mar 2025, 11:00 → 13:00 UTC

Given the increased interest in incorporating radiation quality, characterized by linear energy transfer (LET), as an optimization parameter in proton therapy treatment planning, a solution for experimental validation of computations and patient-specific quality assurance in terms of proton LET is needed. Commercially available miniaturized Timepix detectors provide single-particle tracking and spectral information, allowing particle identification and characterization of single-proton LET in mixed radiation fields. This study presents a methodology for assessing radiation quality in terms of LET spectra in mixed radiation fields produced in homogenous and heterogenous phantoms. Results show an agreement between experimental data and Monte Carlo simulations, demonstrating the feasibility of the presented method to validate LET computations, ultimately aiming at advancement in proton therapy treatment planning.