A novel optical calorimetry approach is proposed for the dosimetry of therapeutic radiation, based on the optical technique of Digital Holographic Interferometry (DHI). This detector determines the radiation absorbed dose to water by measurement of the refractive index variations arising from radiation induced temperature increases. The output consists of a time series of high resolution, two dimensional images of the spatial distribution of the projected dose map across the water sample. This absorbed dose to water is measured directly, independently of radiation type, dose rate and energy, and without perturbation of the beam. These are key features which make DHI a promising technique for radiation dosimetry. A prototype DHI detector was developed, with the aim of providing proof-of-principle of the approach. The detector consists of an optical laser interferometer based on a lensless Fourier transform digital holography (LFTDH) system, and the associated mathematical reconstruction of the absorbed dose. The conceptual basis was introduced, and a full framework was established for the measurement and analysis of the results. Methods were developed for mathematical correction of the distortions introduced by heat di usion within the system. Pilot studies of the dosimetry of a high dose rate Ir-192 brachytherapy source and a small eld proton beam were conducted in order to investigate the dosimetric potential of the technique. Results were validated against independent models of the expected radiation dose distributions. Initial measurements of absorbed dose demonstrated the ability of the DHI detector to resolve the minuscule temperature changes produced by radiation in water to within experimental uncertainty. Spatial resolution of approximately 0.03 mm/pixel was achieved, and the dose distribution around the brachytherapy source was accurately measured for short irradiation times, to within the experimental uncertainty. The experimental noise for the prototype detector was relatively large and combined with the occurrence of heat di usion, means that the method is predominantly suitable for high dose rate applications. The initial proof-of-principle results con rm that DHI dosimetry is a promising technique, with a range of potential bene ts. Further development of the technique is warranted, to improve on the limitations of the current prototype. A comprehensive analysis of the system was conducted to determine key requirements for future development of the DHI detector to be a useful contribution to the dosimetric toolbox of a range of current and emerging applications. The sources of measurement uncertainty are considered, and methods suggested to mitigate these. Improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio, and further development of the heat transport corrections for high dose gradient regions are key areas of focus highlighted for future development.

A technique for the in vivo dose verification of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has been developed. An electronic portal image, calibrated in terms of absolute dose, is acquired for each radiation field following transmission through the patient at the time of treatment. For an IMRT field, the portal image signal is back-projected through a model of the patient in order to calculate the dose at the isocentric plane perpendicular to the beam central axis. The IMRT in vivo dose verification technique was adapted for volumetric modu- lated arc therapy (VMAT) treatments when a single dosimetric image is acquired over an arc. The patient dose along axis of gantry rotation can be directly related to the signal along the vertical axis of EPIs in integrated mode. In this novel VMAT in vivo dosimetry technique, the portal image signal is back-projected through a rotationally averaged model of the patient to calculate a 1D in vivo dose along the axis of gantry rotation. A research ethics board clinical study was approved and transmission portal images were acquired at regular intervals from human subjects. Portal image-derived isocenter point doses were in good agreement with treatment planning system (TPS) calculations for IMRT (mean difference δ=0.0%, standard deviation of the differences σ=4.3%) and VMAT (δ=1.1%, σ=1.7%). The one-dimensional (VMAT) and two-dimensional (IMRT) reconstructed doses were further analyzed by calculating mean dose differences and γ−evaluation pass-rates, which were also shown to be in good agreement with TPS calculations. The portal image-based in vivo dosimetry techniques were shown to be clinically feasible, with reconstruction times on the order of minutes for the first fraction and less than one minute for each fraction thereafter. / Graduate / 0760 / 0574 / 0760

Thesis (M.Sc.) (Hons)-- University of Western Sydney, 2002. / "A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (Honours) in Physics at the University of Western Sydney" "September 2002" "Kin Wa (Karl) Chan of Medical Physics Department of Westmead Hospital and the University of Western Sydney"-- t.p. Bibliography: leaves 100-105.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Physics and Mathematical Physics, 2003. / "August 2003" Bibliography: leaves 108-117.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Wollongong, 2005. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: leaf 225-238.

Neste trabalho são apresentados os resultados obtidos com diodos resistentes a danos de radiação dos tipos fusão zonal padrão (FZ), fusão zonaI com difusão de oxigênio (DOFZ) e Czochralski magnético (MCz) em dosimetria de processamento por radiação gama. Estes dispositivos de junção p+-n-n+ foram manufaturados por Okmetic Oyj. (Vantaa, Finland) e processados no Centro de Microeletrônica da Universidade de Tecnologia de Helsinki no âmbito da colaboração RD50 do CERN. As sondas dosimétricas, baseadas nos dispositivos FZ, DOFZ and MCz, foram projetadas para operar sem tensão de polarização no modo de corrente direta como dosímetros on-line de radiação. As irradiações foram realizadas no Centro de Tecnologia das Radiações (CTR) no IPEN-CNEN/SP usando a fonte de 60Co (Gammacell 220 Nordion) com a taxa de dose de aproximadamente 2,4 kGy/h. A resposta em corrente de cada diodo foi medida em função do tempo de exposição em intervalos de dose desde 5 kGy até 50 kGy atingindo a dose total absorvida 275 kGy. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram um significante decréscimo da fotocorrente gerada em todos os dispositivos para doses totais absorvidas superiores a aproximadamente 25 kGy. Para reduzir este efeito, as amostras foram pré-irradiadas com raios gama do 60Co a uma dose de 700 kGy, para saturar a produção de armadilhas no volume sensível do diodo. Depois da pré-irradiação, apesar de serem menos sensíveis, todos os dispositivos apresentaram sinais de corrente estáveis mesmo para a dose total absorvida de 275 kGy. A fim de monitorar possíveis efeitos de danos de radiação VII produzidos nos diodos, as correntes de fuga e capacitância destes dispositivos foram medidas em função da dose total absorvida. As curvas de calibração dos dosímetros mostraram respostas quadráticas com coeficientes de correlação maiores do que 0,9999 para doses totais absorvidas de até 275 kGy. A comparação entre as respostas dosimétricas dos diodos estudados evidenciou que o melhor resultado foi obtido com o MCz que exibiu maiores sensibilidade e estabilidade do que os dispositivos FZ e DOFZ. No entanto, é importante notar que todos os diodos pré-irradiados podem ser utilizados como dosímetros em aplicações de processamento por radiação gama. / In this work we report on results obtained with rad-hard Standard Float Zone (FZ), Diffusion Oxygenated Float Zone (DOFZ) and Magnetic Czochralski (MCz) silicon diodes in gamma radiation processing dosimetry. These p+-n-n+ junction devices were manufactured by Okmetic Oyj. (Vantaa, Finland) and processed by the Microelectronics Center of Helsinki University of Technology in the framework of the CERN RD50 Collaboration. The dosimetric probes, based on FZ, DOFZ and MCz devices, were designed to operate without bias voltage in the direct current mode as on-line radiation dosimeter. The irradiations were performed in the Radiation Technology Center (CTR) at IPEN-CNEN/SP using a 60Co source (Gammacell 220 Nordion) with a dose rate around of 2.4 kGy/h. The current response of each diode was measured as a function of the exposure time in steps from 5 kGy up to 50 kGy to achieve a total absorbed dose of 275 kGy. The results obtained showed a significant decrease in the photocurrent generated in all devices for total absorbed doses higher than approximately 25 kGy. To reduce this effect, the samples were pre-irradiated with 60Co gamma rays at 700 kGy in order to saturate the trap production in the diodes sensitive volume. After pre-irradiation, despite of being less sensitive, all devices exhibited more stable photocurrent signals, even for total absorbed doses of 275 kGy. To monitor possible gamma radiation damage effects produced on the diodes, their dynamic leakage current and capacitance were measured as a function of the absorbed dose. IX The calibration curves of the dosimeters showed quadratic responses with correlation coefficient higher than 0.9999 for total absorbed dose up to 275 kGy. The comparison among the dosimetric response of the diodes studied evidenced that the best result was achieved with the MCz which exhibited higher sensitivity and stability than the FZ and DOFZ devices. However, it is important to note that all pre-irradiated diodes can be used as gamma dosimeters in radiation processing applications.

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