CW-OSL measurement protocols using optical fibre Al2O3:C dosemeters

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Oncology
• Dosimetry

Background:

• Accurate in vivo dosimetry is crucial for effective radiotherapy.
• Traditional dosimetry methods face challenges in real-time dose monitoring.
• Carbon-doped aluminium oxide (Al2O3:C) offers potential for luminescence-based dosimetry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and validate a new system for in vivo dosimetry during radiotherapy.
• To establish a reproducible and linear measurement protocol for clinical application.
• To optimize the analysis of luminescence signals for precise dose determination.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a novel system employing Al2O3:C crystals and optical fibers for signal transmission.
• Employed continuous wave optically stimulated luminescence (CW-OSL) with a 532 nm laser.
• Developed a measurement protocol involving signal stabilization with a minimum pre-dose and analysis of luminescence decay components.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated high reproducibility and improved linearity of the CW-OSL measurement protocol.
• Identified the necessity of a crystal-specific minimum pre-dose for signal stabilization.
• Showcased the effectiveness of separating decay curves into components, utilizing only fast and medium components for accurate measurement.

Conclusions:

• The developed CW-OSL system and protocol are suitable for clinical in vivo dosimetry.
• Optimized signal processing, including component analysis of decay curves, is essential for accurate dose measurement.
• This advancement offers a promising tool for real-time radiotherapy dose monitoring and quality assurance.