A method to correct for temperature dependence and measure simultaneously dose and temperature using a plastic...

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Detection and Measurement

Background:

• Plastic scintillation detectors (PSDs) are effective for radiation dosimetry.
• A significant limitation of PSDs is their temperature dependence, requiring external temperature data for accurate dose correction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel method for real-time, a priori temperature-independent correction of PSD response.
• To enable simultaneous measurement of radiation dose and detector temperature using only the PSD apparatus.

Main Methods:

• A novel algorithm was developed to correct PSD response for temperature fluctuations.
• Experiments were conducted using a cobalt-60 photon beam and a 6 MV photon beam in a temperature-controlled water tank, varying temperatures from room conditions to over 40 °C.
• Simultaneous temperature measurements were performed using the PSD and a calibrated thermocouple.

Main Results:

• The PSD, utilizing the novel correction method, measured cobalt-60 photon beam doses with an average accuracy of 0.72% compared to expected values.
• Simultaneous temperature measurements by the PSD and thermocouple agreed within 1 °C.
• Depth-dose curves for a 6 MV photon beam under unstable warm conditions showed agreement within -0.98% compared to room temperature measurements.

Conclusions:

• The developed approach successfully renders plastic scintillation detectors temperature-independent.
• The method allows for simultaneous and accurate measurement of both radiation dose and detector temperature, enhancing PSD robustness and versatility.