title: Characterisation of a track structure imaging detector.
abstract: The spatial distribution of radiation-induced ionisations in sub-cellular structures plays an important role in the initial formation of radiation damage to biological tissues. Using the nanodosimetry approach, physical characteristics of the track structure can be measured and correlated to DNA damage. In this work, a novel nanodosimeter is presented, which detects positive ions produced by radiation interacting with a gas-sensitive volume in order to obtain a high resolution image of the radiation track structure. The characterisation of the detector prototype was performed and different configurations of the device were tested by varying the detector cathode material and the working gas. Preliminary results show that the ionisation cluster size distribution can be obtained with this approach. Further work is planned to improve the detector efficiency in order to register the complete three-dimensional track structure of ionising radiation.
authors: Center for Proton Therapy, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, PSI 5232, Switzerland margherita.casiraghi@psi.ch.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Casiraghi
authors: Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, 11175 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.
authors: V A
authors: VA
authors: Bashkirov
authors: Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, 11175 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.
authors: R F
authors: RF
authors: Hurley
authors: Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, 11175 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.
authors: R W
authors: RW
authors: Schulte
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010315:Particle Accelerators / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011522:Protons; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D011522:Protons