Investigation of X-rays Beams Uniformity in Radiotherapeutic Tumor Treatment Procedure Using LuAG:Ce Crystal...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Medical Physics
• Radiation Detection

Background:

• Radiotherapy requires precise dosimetry for effective cancer treatment.
• Traditional dosimeters face challenges in accuracy and stability under high radiation doses.
• Advanced materials are needed for improved radiation detection in clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of Ce³⁺-doped Lu₃Al₅O₁₂ garnet (LuAG:Ce) crystals as detectors for radiotherapy.
• To evaluate the dosimetric properties of LuAG:Ce detectors for clinical X-ray beams and gamma sources.
• To assess the uniformity, stability, and performance of LuAG:Ce detectors in a clinical environment.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication and characterization of Ce³⁺-doped Lu₃Al₅O₁₂ garnet (LuAG:Ce) single crystal detectors.
• Measurement of thermoluminescence (TL) properties, including light yield and glow peak temperatures.
• Evaluation of radiation stability and uniformity of LuAG:Ce detectors using clinical accelerators (6 MV, 15 MV) and a ⁶⁰Co gamma source.

Main Results:

• LuAG:Ce detectors exhibit excellent structural and optical uniformity, high TL light yield, and optimal glow peak temperatures (245-295 °C).
• The detectors demonstrate high radiation stability, crucial for repeated use in radiotherapy.
• LuAG:Ce detectors accurately registered dose and energy spectra for 6 MV and 15 MV X-ray beams and ⁶⁰Co gamma rays (1.17, 1.33 MeV).

Conclusions:

• Ce³⁺-doped Lu₃Al₅O₁₂ garnet (LuAG:Ce) crystals are highly promising materials for radiotherapy dosimetry.
• LuAG:Ce detectors offer superior performance characteristics compared to conventional dosimeters.
• These detectors can be reliably used for precise radiation measurements in clinical environments.