Monitoring the Bragg peak location of 73 MeV/u carbon ions by means of prompt $γ$-ray measurements

Authors:
  • MBM. Bajard
    M. Bajard
  • MCM. Chevallier
    M. Chevallier
  • DDD. Dauvergne
    D. Dauvergne
  • FFF. Le Foulher
    F. Le Foulher
  • JPJ. -C. Poizat
    J. -C. Poizat
  • CRC. Ray
    C. Ray
  • MTM. Testa
    M. Testa
  • NFN. Freud
    N. Freud
  • JLJ. -M. Létang
    J. -M. Létang
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Abstract
By means of a time-of-flight technique, we measured the longitudinal profile of prompt $\gamma$-rays emitted by 73 MeV/u $^{13}$C ions irradiating a PMMA target. This technique allowed us to minimize the shielding against neutrons and scattered $\gamma$-rays, and to correlate prompt gamma emission to the ion path. This correlation, together with a high counting rate, paves the way toward real-time monitoring of the longitudinal dose profile during ion therapy treatments. Moreover, the time correlation between the prompt gamma detection and the transverse position of the incident ions measured by a beam monitor can provide real-time 3D control of the irradiation.