The overall objective of the project is to develop traceable dosimetry to support the development of reference dosimetry CoP required by UHDPP electron and UHDR proton beam facilities aimed for FLASH radiotherapy.
The specific objectives of the project are:
- To determine and evaluate the characteristics of portable primary standards for absorbed dose measurements in clinical scanning UHDR proton beams. This will include: (i) the characterisation and determination of correction factors of existing primary standards for UHDR conditions, (ii) a sensitivity analysis of their characteristics and correction factors on beam parameters, and (iii) the achievement of target uncertainties matching those in international CoP for conventional clinical radiotherapy (WP1).
- To determine secondary standard correction factors for clinical UHDR proton and UHDPP electron beams by the development of dedicated simulation models. This is to include: (i) modelling the radiation fields, (ii) simulations of recombination effects (ks), (iii) simulations of beam quality correction factors (kQ) for novel detectors, (iv) validation of models and their uncertainties, and (v) application of the models for sensitivity analysis (WP2).
- To develop a reference dosimetry methodology for scanning UHDR proton beams that transfers traceability from primary standards to secondary standards, with targeted uncertainties that match those in international CoP (e.g. IAEA TRS-398) for conventional clinical radiotherapy. This is to include: (i) measurement of beam characteristics, (ii) determination of dose-rate parameters, (iii) calibration of secondary standards against portable primary standards, (iv) measurement of recombination (ks) and beam quality (kQ) correction factors for secondary standards, (v) assessment of the suitability of secondary standards, and (vi) the derivation of traceability routes (WP3).
- To develop a reference dosimetry methodology for UHDPP electron beams that transfers traceability from primary standards to secondary standards, with targeted uncertainties that match those in international CoP (e.g. IAEA TRS-398) for conventional clinical radiotherapy. This is to include: (i) measurement of beam characteristics, (ii) establishment of clinical-like reference fields, (iii) measurement of recombination (ks) and beam quality (kQ) correction factors for secondary standards, (iv) assessment of the suitability of secondary standards, and (v) the derivation of traceability routes (WP4).
- To facilitate the take up of the technology and measurement infrastructure developed in the project by CoP and the reference documents from standards developing organisations (e.g. AAPM TG-359, IEC/SC62C/WG3, DIN NAR AA1), the measurement supply chain (accredited laboratories, measurement equipment manufacturers), the EMN Radiation Protection, and end-users (e.g. clinical stakeholders, manufacturers of FLASH facilities) (WP5).