DataVXApplied SciencesPaper
journal article·2023-02-25Open access

First Characterization of Novel Silicon Carbide Detectors with Ultra-High Dose Rate Electron Beams for FLASH Radiotherapy

Francesco Romano, Giuliana Milluzzo, Fabio Di Martino, Maria Cristina D’Oca, Giuseppe Felici, Federica Galante, Alessia Gasparini, Giulia Mariani, Maurizio Marrale, Elisabetta Medina, Matteo Pacitti, Enrico Sangregorio, Verdi Vanreusel, Dirk Verellen, Anna Vignati, Massimo Camarda

Applied Sciences· Volume 13· Issue 5
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Abstract

Ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) beams for FLASH radiotherapy present significant dosimetric challenges. Although novel approaches for decreasing or correcting ion recombination in ionization chambers are being proposed, applicability of ionimetric dosimetry to UHDR beams is still under investigation. Solid-state sensors have been recently investigated as a valuable alternative for real-time measurements, especially for relative dosimetry and beam monitoring. Among them, Silicon Carbide (SiC) represents a very promising candidate, compromising between the maturity of Silicon and the robustness of diamond. Its features allow for large area sensors and high electric fields, required to avoid ion recombination in UHDR beams. In this study, we present simulations and experimental measurements with the low energy UHDR electron beams accelerated with the ElectronFLASH machine developed by the SIT Sordina company (IT). The response of a newly developed 1 × 1 cm2 SiC sensor in charge as a function of the dose-per-pulse and its radiation hardness up to a total delivered dose of 90 kGy, was investigated during a dedicated experimental campaign, which is, to our knowledge, the first characterization ever done of SiC with UHDR-pulsed beams accelerated by a dedicated ElectronFLASH LINAC. Results are encouraging and show a linear response of the SiC detector up to 2 Gy/pulse and a variation in the charge per pulse measured for a cumulative delivered dose of 90 kGy, within ±0.75%.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Radiation Effects in Electronics · Radiation Therapy and Dosimetry · Radiation Detection and Scintillator Technologies

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione di Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy

Particle Therapy Research Center (PARTREC), Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Zernikelaan 25, 9747 AA Groningen, The Netherlands

Centro Pisano Ricerca e Implementazione Clinica Flash Radiotherapy (CPFR@CISUP), Presidio S. Chiara, 56126 Pisa, Italy

UO Fisica Sanitaria, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy

Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica “Emilio Segrè”, Università di Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy

SIT-Sordina, 36100 Vicenza, Italy

Iridium Network, Radiotherapy, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium

Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy

INFN Sezione di Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy

Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Università degli Studi di Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy

CNR—Istituto per la Microelettronica e Microsistemi, 95121 Catania, Italy

SCK CEN Research in Dosimetric Applications, 2400 Mol, Belgium

STLab srl, Via Anapo 53, 95126 Catania, Italy

SenSiC, DeliveryLab, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland

Funding

INFN CSN5 · Missione 4 Istruzione e Ricerca-Componente 2-Investimento 1.5 (“PNRR”), NGEU

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