Work

Spectroscopic separation of Čerenkov radiation in high-resolution radiation fiber dosimeters

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: We have investigated Čerenkov radiation generated in phosphor-based optical fiber dosimeters irradiated with clinical electron beams. We fabricated two high-spatial resolution fiber-optic probes, with 200 and 400 μm core diameters, composed of terbium-based phosphor tips. A generalizable spectroscopic method was used to separate Čerenkov radiation from the transmitted signal by the fiber based on the assumption that the recorded signal is a linear superposition of two basis spectra: characteristic luminescence of the phosphor medium and Čerenkov radiation. We performed Monte Carlo simulations of the Čerenkov radiation generated in the fiber and found a strong dependence of the recorded Čerenkov radiation on the numerical aperture of the fiber at shallow phantom depths; however, beyond the depth of maximum dose that dependency is minimal. The simulation results agree with the experimental results for Čerenkov radiation generated in fibers. The spectroscopic technique used in this work can be used for development of high-spatial resolution fiber micro dosimeters and for optical characterization of various scintillating materials, such as phosphor nanoparticles, in ionizing radiation fields of high energy.

Source: Journal of Biomedical Optics

DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.20.9.095001

Authors: Arash Darafsheh, Rongxiao Zhang, Stephen C. Kanick, Brian W. Pogue, Jarod C. Finlay

Institutions: University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, University of Pennsylvania Health System

Language: English

Topic: Radiation Detection and Scintillator Technologies

Subfield: Radiation

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $1,675

Funders: American Cancer Society, University of Pennsylvania