First microdosimetric measurements with a TEPC based on a GEM.

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Detection
• Nuclear Instrumentation

Background:

• Microdosimetry is crucial for understanding radiation effects, especially in pulsed fields.
• Traditional detectors face challenges in intense radiation environments.
• Tissue-equivalent proportional counters (TEPCs) are standard for microdosimetry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and construct a novel mini multi-element TEPC utilizing a gas electron multiplier (GEM).
• To evaluate the performance of this new TEPC for microdosimetric measurements in intense pulsed radiation fields.
• To assess its suitability for applications requiring high sensitivity and small sensitive volumes.

Main Methods:

• A new mini multi-element TEPC based on GEM technology was constructed.
• Microdosimetric spectra were measured using a 14 MeV monoenergetic neutron beam and a Californium-252 source.
• The counter's cavity diameter was set at 1.8 mm, simulating a 1.0 µm tissue site size.

Main Results:

• The novel TEPC-GEM demonstrated successful microdosimetric measurements.
• The measured spectra showed excellent agreement with existing data from the literature.
• The detector proved effective for simulating small tissue volumes in radiation fields.

Conclusions:

• The developed TEPC-GEM is a promising new detector for microdosimetry.
• Its small sensitive volume and high sensitivity make it suitable for pulsed radiation fields and clinical linear accelerator beams.
• The TEPC-GEM offers specific advantages for advanced radiation detection applications.