Additional Collimators Research Articles

Collimated muon beam proposal for probing neutrino charge-parity violation

AbstractThe phenomenon of neutrino oscillation is of great theoretical and experimental interest for our understand of the nature of the neutrino and its implication for physics beyond the standard Model. Currently available neutrino oscillation experiments can already constrain neutrino mixing parameters with a confidence level up to 3 standard deviations (σ). However, it remains challenging to provide a deterministic constraint on the Charge-Parity (CP) violation phase of the neutrino mixing matrix. Here, we propose an experimental setup that exploits collimated muon beams to probe neutrino CP-violation. In our proposed acceleration experiment, a 45 GeV positron source with additional muon collimation, interfaces with near-future neutrino detectors like DUNE and T2K, to probe neutrino CP-violation phase with a significantly higher sensitivity than obtained with the neutrino detectors alone, and to determine tau neutrino properties. Simulations estimate the collection of 104 tau (anti-) neutrino in 5 years, and a sensitivity of over 7 standard deviations for δCP = ∣π/2∣ in 5 years. Collecting ντ appearance events from μ− and μ+ beams over 10 years can attain a 3-4 standard deviation sensitivity. This proposal may serve as a tau factory.

Single-image-source binocular waveguide display based on polarization volume gratings and lenses.

Waveguide displays, a highly competitive solution for augmented reality (AR), have attracted a lot of interest. A polarization-dependent binocular waveguide display using polarization volume lenses (PVLs) and polarization volume gratings (PVGs) as input and output couplers, respectively, is proposed. Light from a single image source is delivered to the left and right eyes independently according to its polarization state. Compared with traditional waveguide display systems, no additional collimation system is needed due to the deflection and collimation capabilities of PVLs. Leveraging the high efficiency, wide angular bandwidth, and polarization selectivity of liquid crystal elements, different images can be independently and accurately produced in the two eyes when the polarization of the image source is modulated. The proposed design paves the way for a compact and lightweight binocular AR near-eye display.

Revisiting Neutron Propagation-Based Phase-Contrast Imaging and Tomography: Use of Phase Retrieval to Amplify the Effective Degree of Brilliance

Propagation-based neutron phase-contrast tomography is demonstrated using the ISIS pulsed spallation source. The proof-of-concept tomogram with a Paganin-type phase-retrieval filter applied exhibits an effective net boost of $23\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1$ in the signal-to-noise ratio as compared with an attenuation-based tomogram, implying a boost in the effective degree of neutron brilliance of over 2 orders of magnitude. This comparison is for phase retrieval versus conventional absorption with no additional collimation in place. We provide expressions for the optimal phase-contrast geometry as well as conditions for the validity of the method. The underpinning theory is derived under the assumption of the sample being composed of a single material. The effective boost in brilliance may be employed to give reduced acquisition time, or may instead be used to keep exposure times fixed while improving the measured contrast.

Small field proton irradiation for in vivo studies: Potential and limitations when adapting clinical infrastructure

PurposeTo evaluate the dosimetric accuracy for small field proton irradiation relevant for pre-clinical in vivo studies using clinical infrastructure and technology. In this context additional beam collimation and range reduction was implemented. Methods and materialsThe clinical proton beam line employing pencil beam scanning (PBS) was adapted for the irradiation of small fields at shallow depths. Cylindrical collimators with apertures of 15, 12, 7 and 5mm as well as two different range shifter types, placed at different distances relative to the target, were tested: a bolus range shifter (BRS) attached to the collimator and a clinical nozzle mounted range shifter (CRS) placed at a distance of 72cm from the collimator. The Monte Carlo (MC) based dose calculation engine implemented in the clinical treatment planning system (TPS) was commissioned for these two additional hardware components. The study was conducted with a phantom and cylindrical target sizes between 2 and 25mm in diameter following a dosimetric end-to-end test concept. ResultsThe setup with the CRS provided a uniform dose distribution across the target. An agreement of better than5% between the planned dose and the measurements was obtained for a target with 3mm diameter (collimator 5mm). A 2mm difference between the collimator and the target diameter (target being 2 mm smaller than the collimator) sufficed to cover the whole target with the planned dose in the setup with CRS. Using the BRS setup (target 8mm, collimator 12mm) resulted in non-homogeneous dose distributions, with a dose discrepancy of up to 10% between the planned and measured doses. ConclusionThe clinical proton infrastructure with adequate beam line adaptations and a state-of-the-art TPS based on MC dose calculations enables small animal irradiations with a high dosimetric precision and accuracy for target sizes down to 3mm.

Новый алгоритм для модернизации портальных радиационных мониторов с пластиковыми детекторами. Часть 4. Использование коллиматоров для повышения эффективности работы алгоритма

The way of improving of new algorithm by using additional lead collimators is discussed in the fourth part of the article. The results of calculations and direct measurements of collimators of different sizes for two variants of algorithm with four and six energy windows are presented in the paper. It is shown that using of lead collimators increases efficiency of algorithm and provides detection of radioactive sources less activity.

The dosimetric enhancement of GRID profiles using an external collimator in pencil beam scanning proton therapy.

The radiobiological benefits afforded by spatially fractionated (GRID) radiation therapy pairs well with the dosimetric advantages of proton therapy. Inspired by the emergence of energy-layer specific collimators in pencil beam scanning (PBS), this work investigates how the spot spacing and collimation can be optimized to maximize the therapeutic gains of a GRID treatment while demonstrating the integration of a dynamic collimation system (DCS) within a commercial beamline to deliver GRID treatments and experimentally benchmark Monte Carlo calculation methods. GRID profiles were experimentally benchmarked using a clinical DCS prototype that was mounted to the nozzle of the IBA-dedicated nozzle system. Integral depth dose (IDD) curves and lateral profiles were measured for uncollimated and GRID-collimated beamlets. A library of collimated GRID dose distributions were simulated by placing beamlets within a specified uniform grid and weighting the beamlets to achieve a volume-averaged tumor cell survival equivalent to an open field delivery. The healthy tissue sparing afforded by the GRID distribution was then estimated across a range of spot spacings and collimation widths, which were later optimized based on the radiosensitivity of the tumor cell line and the nominal spot size of the PBS system. This was accomplished by using validated models of the IBA universal and dedicated nozzles. Excellent agreement was observed between the measured and simulated profiles. The IDDs matched above 98.7% when analyzed using a 1%/1-mm gamma criterion with some minor deviation observed near the Bragg peak for higher beamlet energies. Lateral profile distributions predicted using Monte Carlo methods agreed well with the measured profiles; a gamma passing rate of 95% or higher was observed for all in-depth profiles examined using a 3%/2-mm criteria. Additional collimation was shown to improve PBS GRID treatments by sharpening the lateral penumbra of the beamlets but creates a trade-off between enhancing the valley-to-peak ratio of the GRID delivery and the dose-volume effect. The optimal collimation width and spot spacing changed as a function of the tumor cell radiosensitivity, dose, and spot size. In general, a spot spacing below 2.0 cm with a collimation less than 1.0 cm provided a superior dose distribution among the specific cases studied. The ability to customize a GRID dose distribution using different collimation sizes and spot spacings is a useful advantage, especially to maximize the overall therapeutic benefit. In this regard, the capabilities of the DCS, and perhaps alternative dynamic collimators, can be used to enhance GRID treatments. Physical dose models calculated using Monte Carlo methods were experimentally benchmarked in water and were found to accurately predict the respective dose distributions of uncollimated and DCS-collimated GRIDprofiles.

A reconstruction approach for proton computed tomography by modeling the integral depth dose of the scanning proton pencil beam.

To present a proton computed tomography (pCT) reconstruction approach that models the integral depth dose (IDD) of the clinical scanning proton beam into beamlets. Using a multilayer ionization chamber (MLIC) as the imager, the proposed pCT system and the reconstruction approach can minimize extra ambient neutron dose and simplify the beamline design by eliminating an additional collimator to confine the proton beam. Monte Carlo simulation was applied to digitally simulate the IDDs of the exiting proton beams detected by the MLIC. A forward model was developed to model each IDD into a weighted sum of percentage depth doses of the constituent beamlets separated laterally by 1mm. The water equivalent path lengths (WEPLs) of the beamlets were determined by iteratively minimizing the squared L2-norm between the forward projected and simulated IDDs. The final WEPL values were reconstructed to pCT images, that is, proton stopping power ratio (SPR) maps, through simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique with total variation regularization. The reconstruction process was tested with a digital cylindrical water-based phantom and an ICRP adult reference computational phantom. The mean of SPR within regions of interest (ROIs) and the WEPL along a 4mm-wide beam ( ) were compared with the reference values. The spatial resolution was analyzed at the edge of a cortical insert of the cylindrical phantom. The percentage deviations from reference SPR were within±1% in all selected ROIs. The mean absolute error of the reconstructed SPR was 0.33%, 0.19%, and 0.27% for the cylindrical phantom, the adult phantom at the head and lung region, respectively. The corresponding percentage deviations from reference were 0.48±0.64%, 0.28±0.48%, and 0.22±0.49%. The full width at half maximum of the line spread function (LSF) derived from the radial edge spread function (ESF) of a cortical insert was 0.13cm. The frequency at 10% of the modulation transfer function (MTF) was 6.38cm-1 . The mean signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of all the inserts was 2.45. The mean imaging dose was 0.29 and 0.25cGy at the head and lung region of the adult phantom, respectively. A new pCT reconstruction approach was developed by modeling the IDDs of the uncollimated scanning proton beams in the pencil beam geometry. SPR accuracy within±1%, spatial resolution of better than 2mm at 10% MTF, and imaging dose at the magnitude of mGy were achieved. Potential side effects caused by neutron dose were eliminated by removing the extra beam collimator.

Fabrication of TiO2-based broadband single-layer anti-reflection coating by collimated glancing angle deposition technique

Single-sided TiO2 thin films were prepared using a modified glancing angle deposition (GLAD) technique. An additional flux collimation plate was introduced into the GLAD arrangement to enhance the degree of collimation of depositing vapour flux. Enhancement in the ballistic growth of film on the substrate was observed with increasing distance from the vapour source. The substrate position near to the vapour source (i.e. bottom region) showed a high refractive index (RI, ∼1.336 @ 550 nm wavelength) and lower average film transmittance (∼94.5% in 400–900 nm wavelength range) compared to the others. In contrast, the TiO2 coating deposited at a distant position from the source (i.e. top region) showed a remarkably low RI (∼1.190 @ 550 nm wavelength) and excellent anti-reflection over a broad spectral region with a maximum average transmittance (∼95.3% in 400–900 nm wavelength) compared to the other substrate positions. The reduction in film RI was correlated qualitatively with the morphological alterations in the coating for different substrate positions. With a further increase in distance from the vapour source, an ultimate reduction in the RI of TiO2 to ∼1.101 was observed, which was ∼50% lower than the bulk TiO2 value (∼2.221 @ 550 nm wavelength). The present study reports the lowest RI of TiO2 together with fabrication of a TiO2-based broadband single-layer anti-reflection coating.

Comparison of Treatment Plan Robustness Between Dynamic Trajectory Radiotherapy and VMAT

Dynamic trajectory radiotherapy (DTRT) was recently developed in our institute for a non-coplanar arc delivery technique utilizing additionally to VMAT table and collimator rotations. Recent studies on the dosimetric performance suggest a substantial improvement in organs at risks (OARs) sparing when compared with conventional C-arm VMAT delivery. In this work, the treatment plan robustness for DTRT and VMAT is compared with respect to setup errors. Robustness was assessed by generating DVH bands as well as so-called robustness maps (rMaps) by means of a false/true evaluation of certain dosimetric user-defined limits considered acceptable for selected structures with respect to a range of setup errors considered. The robustness was assessed for a clinically motivated head and neck, a lung and a prostate case. For each case systematic translational (ranging from -6 to 6 mm) and rotational (ranging from -3° to 3°) setup error scenarios were defined and for each scenario Monte Carlo dose calculations for the DTRT and VMAT treatment plans were performed. The resulting dose distributions served as input for the robustness assessment determining DVH bands and rMaps. The acceptance conditions for the OARs were defined such that the mean doses for parallel OARs and near maximum doses for serial OARs do not deteriorate more than 2 Gy. For the CTV V95% a deterioration of 1% was allowed in order to pass the robustness criteria. For the isotropic CTV to PTV margins 4 mm, 5 mm and 10 mm were applied for the head and neck, the prostate and the lung case, respectively, except for the dorsal direction of the prostate case, where 3 mm was used. For the head and neck and the prostate case the percentage of setup error scenarios passing the acceptance criteria were 29% and 63% (VMAT) and 23% and 58% (DTRT) for translations and 60% and 100% (VMAT) and 62% and 100% (DTRT) for rotations, respectively. Depending on the direction of the translation setup error, the VMAT plan is slightly more robust. However, for the lung case the VMAT treatment plan is more robust leading to passing rates of 48% (VMAT) and 20% (DTRT) for translations and 83% (VMAT) and 55% (DTRT) for rotations, respectively. In all cases, the robustness determined by the rMaps is dominated by the acceptance criteria for the OARs and not by the ones for the CTV. The results of this study indicate that DTRT treatment plans using additional dynamic table and collimator rotations leading to complex trajectories result in similar systematic setup error robustness as VMAT treatment plans for the head and neck and the prostate case. For the lung case investigated, the VMAT treatment plans show an improved robustness.

Clinical application of a gantry-attachable plastic scintillating plate dosimetry system in pencil beam scanning proton therapy beam monitoring.

The entrance beam fluence of therapeutic proton scanning beams can be monitored using a gantry-attachable plastic scintillating plate (GAPSP). This study evaluated the clinical application of the GAPSP using a method that measures intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) beams for patient treatment. IMPT beams for the treatment of nine patients, at sites that included the spine, head and neck, pelvis, and lung, were measured using the GAPSP, composed of an EJ-212 plastic scintillator and a CMOS camera. All energy layers distinguished by the GAPSP were accumulated to determine the dose distribution of the treatment field. The evaluated fields were compared with reference dose maps verified by quality assurance. Comparison of dose distributions of evaluation treatment fields with reference dose distributions showed that the 3%/1 mm average gamma passing rate was 96.4%, independent of the treatment site, energy range and field size. When dose distributions were evaluated using the same criteria for each energy layer, the average gamma passing rate was 91.7%. The GAPSP is a suitable, low-cost method for monitoring pencil beam scanning proton therapy, especially for non-spot scanning or additional collimation. The GAPSP can also estimate the treatment beam by the energy layer, a feature not common to other proton dosimetry tools.

IMPROVEMENT OF BEAM TRANSPORT AND TARGET STATION OF TECHNOLOGICAL LINAC "EPOS"

To increase the reliability of operation and simplify the precise tuning of the beam it is proposed to upgrade the output part of the accelerator "EPOS" NSC KIPT that operates in the range of electron energies 25…35 MeV and beam power up to 12 kW. An additional collimator, beam profile scanner and a wide aperture beam current monitor is offered to install. It is also proposed to upgrade the target station, which will improve the quality of irradiation and improve working conditions for personnel.

Mechanical Analysis of the Collaring Process of the 11 T Dipole Magnet

As part of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) accelerator upgrades foreseen by the high luminosity-LHC project, the CERN 11 T program is aimed at replacing standard LHC Nb-Ti main dipole magnets, operating with a bore field of 8.3 T, with pairs of shorter Nb <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sub> Sn dipole magnets with a bore field of 11 T and the same total integrated field, thus providing space for additional collimators in the dispersion suppressor region. At the time of the submission of this paper, six single-aperture and two double-aperture short models have been fabricated and tested. As a result of a degraded quench performance observed in some of the short models, attributed to excessive stress on the Nb3Sn coil mid-planes, a thorough investigation of the room temperature loading procedure, and in particular of the collaring process, has been launched. A 150-mm-long collared coil mockup, instrumented with strain gauges and pressure sensitive films, has been used to study the peak stresses experienced by the brittle and strain sensitive Nb <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sub> Sn cables in the different phases of the collaring and as a function of coils' size and collaring force. In this paper, the results of the test campaign are described.

3D-2D Image Registration in Virtual Long-Film Imaging: Application to Spinal Deformity Correction.

Intraoperative 2D virtual long-film (VLF) imaging is investigated for 3D guidance and confirmation of the surgical product in spinal deformity correction. Multi-slot-scan geometry (rather than a single-slot "topogram") is exploited to produce parallax views of the scene for accurate 3D colocalization from a single radiograph. The multi-slot approach uses additional angled collimator apertures to form fan-beams with disparate views (parallax) of anatomy and instrumentation and to extend field-of-view beyond the linear motion limits. Combined with a knowledge of surgical implants (pedicle screws and/or spinal rods modeled as "known components"), 3D-2D image registration is used to solve for pose estimates via optimization of image gradient correlation. Experiments were conducted in cadaver studies emulating the system geometry of the O-arm (Medtronic, Minneapolis MN). Experiments demonstrated feasibility of multi-slot VLF and quantified the geometric accuracy of 3D-2D registration using VLF acquisitions. Registration of pedicle screws from a single VLF yielded mean target registration error of (2.0±0.7) mm, comparable to the accuracy of surgical trackers and registration using multiple radiographs (e.g., AP and LAT). 3D-2D registration in a single VLF image offers a promising new solution for image guidance in spinal deformity correction. The ability to accurately resolve pose from a single view absolves workflow challenges of multiple-view registration and suggests application beyond spine surgery, such as reduction of long-bone fractures.

Robust mixed electron-photon radiation therapy optimization.

Mixed beam electron-photon radiation therapy (MBRT) is an emerging technique that has the potential to reduce dose to normal tissue while improving target coverage for cancer sites with superficial tumors. Advances in optimization algorithms and robotic linear accelerators have made the creation and delivery of complex MBRT plans realistic without the need for special additional collimators, devices, or resetup of the patient. However, no study has been performed on the robustness of MBRT dose distributions to patient setup errors. Intensity-modulated delivery of other charged particles such as protons have been shown to require robust planning techniques to maintain adequate target coverage under positioning errors. We therefore assess the sensitivity of MBRT treatment plans to positioning uncertainties when created under the traditional planning target volume (PTV)-based planning paradigm and present a novel optimization model for the creation of robust MBRT plans. The column generation method was applied to robust MBRT treatment planning by deriving the pricing problem for stochastic and "worst case" minimax optimization models, two common formulations of robustness. Robust treatment plans were created for two patient cases representative of the cancer sites which stand to benefit from MBRT: soft tissue sarcoma (STS) irradiation and chest wall irradiation with deep-seated internal mammary, axillary, and supraclavicular nodes (CW-N). For both patient cases, beamlet dose distributions for electrons and photons were generated for positioning shifts in six directions, in addition to a nominal unshifted scenario, for a total of seven sets of beamlets. Robust plans were created by specifying dose coverage constraints to the clinical target volume (CTV), as opposed to the PTV. Comparisons were performed against traditional PTV-based plans created with a single set of unshifted beamlets. The dose distributions of traditional PTV-based MBRT plans showed significant degradation in target coverage homogeneity when patient positioning errors were considered. For both cancer sites, cold spots below 95% and hot spots above 108% of the prescription dose appeared within the CTV when shifting the patient by 5mm, corresponding to the margin added to the CTV to form the PTV. In contrast, CTV-based robust plans created with the new optimization model maintained target coverage within the 95%-108% limits, for all positioning errors. The quality of MBRT treatment plans created using a traditional PTV-based optimization model was highly sensitive to patient positioning errors. For both patient cases, positioning errors resulted in perturbations to the nominal dose distributions which would have rendered PTV-based plans clinically unacceptable. In contrast, CTV-based robust plans were able to maintain adequate target coverage under all positioning error scenarios considered. We therefore conclude that to ensure the fidelity of the dose distribution delivered to the patient, robust optimization is critical when creating MBRT plans.

18 SBRT for peripheral lung tumors with linac arctherapy technique: More accurate, fast and safe

Introduction Over the past decade, there have been significant changes in the dosimetric management of peripheral lung tumor treatments with stereotactic radiotherapy. Historically developed on linear accelerators using additional collimators, the treatments are now performed on dedicated accelerators (CyberKnife, Vero, STX TrueBeam, Versa HD for example) with dedicated equipment (positioning imagery, breathing control, contention) and dedicated beam types (Flattening Filter Free). First performed in 3D conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT), treatments are now indicated in intensity-modulated rotational radiotherapy (VMAT) [1] . Methods This prospective study was conducted on 30 patients with peripheral lung tumor treated by SBRT. The objective was to assess, through metrics (NC, CI, HI, Dmin PTV , and volumes of isodoses 5Gy, 10Gy, D50% and. Dpresc. [2] , the possibility to improve dose distribution and decrease delivery time of SBRT with VMAT and no longer in 3D – CRT. The planning has been conducted with the RayStation v6 TPS. The scheme of radiotherapy was 48Gy in 6 fractions and the average volume of PTV was 18.3 ± 11.8cc. For each patient, the ITV was determined and the PTV achieved by applying margins of 5mm in the cranio-caudal direction and 3mm elsewhere. Two treatment plans were made: one 3D-CRT in 6MV-FFF and the other in VMAT 6MV-FFF with limitation of the movement of the blades. The optimization of the treatment plans was carried out so that 99% of the PTV volume is covered by the prescription isodose with for the 3D-CRT a collimator opening limit of 5 mm and a limit of prescription at Isocenter point of 80%. The metrics of the 30 patients were recorded and compared by a Wilcoxon test. The treatment delivery time was measured for the 3D-CRT technique and the estimate time was provided by the TPS for the VMAT. Results The results are presented in Table 1 and Fig. 1. For almost all of the patients, the coverage of 99% of the PTV was met. Our technique allows to get a better number of conformity (p 0.001) as well as volumes of isodose 10Gy, D50% and Dpresc. smaller (p 0.001). The duration of treatment sessions has been reduced from 150 to 47 sec. Conclusions The limitation of leafs movement, use of partial arcs with only photons flow variation during arc delivery achieve more consistent coverage and lower lung irradiation without interplay effect during irradiation sessions. This technique is now performed in routine.

OPTIMIZATION OF AN ADDITIONAL COLLIMATOR IN A BEAM DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR REDUCTION OF THE SECONDARY NEUTRON EXPOSURE IN PASSIVE CARBON-ION THERAPY.

The aim of this work is to optimize an additional collimator in a beam delivery system to reduce neutron exposure to patients in passive carbon-ion therapy. All studies were performed by Monte Carlo simulation assuming the beam delivery system at Heavy-Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba. We calculated the neutron ambient dose equivalent at patient positions with an additional collimator, and optimized the position, aperture size and material of the collimator to reduce the neutron ambient dose equivalent. The collimator located 125 and 470 cm upstream from the isocenter could reduce the dose equivalent near the isocenter by 35%, while the collimator located 813 cm upstream from the isocenter was ineffective. As for the material of the collimator, iron and nickel could conduct reduction slightly better than aluminum and polymethyl methacrylate. The additional collimator is an effective method for the reduction of the neutron ambient dose equivalent near the isocenter.

Benchmarking the DACS-integrated Radiation Dose Monitor® skin dose mapping software using XR-RV3 Gafchromic® films.

To perform a benchmark of a new DACS-integrated patient skin dose mapping solution using on-phantom measurements with Gafchromic® films. To calculate cumulative patient skin dose distribution with 1-cm2 resolution, a Radiation Dose Monitor (RDM, Medsquare), using the Radiation Dose Structured Report (RDSR), tabulated backscatter and mass energy absorption coefficients together with site-specific corrections for table, mattress attenuation, and air kerma calibration factor. Peak skin dose (PSD) and two-dimensional (2D) skin dose distributions calculated with RDM were compared against on-phantom measurements with XR-RV3 Gafchromic® films considering two widely used x-ray equipment. Seventeen different settings which include simple and multiple beam projections with extreme angulations (up to 75°), all available fields-of-view (FOVs 48-11cm), additional collimation, variable table height and lateral positions, and variable phantom thickness (12, 20, and 30cm) were involved. Due to a careful calibration of films using clinical beam qualities, 22.8% (k=2) overall measurement uncertainty was achieved. Calculated and measured PSD values agreed with an average difference of 10%±7% and 9%±7% for 34 test conditions performed on Siemens Artis Zee and GEMS Innova IGS interventional systems, respectively. Finally, RDM's 2D skin dose maps closely matched those registered on XR-RV3 films considering the 1-cm2 resolution. While RDM correctly reproduced beam overlapping due to variable tube projections, FOV, table positions, etc., few challenges were identified related to conversion of rectangular fields to square areas in the RDSR and a stair-step effect visible for large tube projections (>45°). The accuracy of RDM's DACS-integrated skin dose mapping software was acceptable considering measurement uncertainties associated with Gafchromic® films.

Digitally designed holographic optical element for light field displays

Concave micro-mirror arrays fabricated as holographic optical elements are used in projector-based light field displays due to their see-through characteristics. The optical axes of each micro-mirror in the array are usually made parallel to each other, which simplifies the fabrication, integral image rendering, and calibration process. However, this demands that the beam from the projector be collimated and made parallel to the optical axis of each elemental micro-mirror. This requires additional collimation optics, which puts serious limitations on the size of the display. In this Letter, we propose a solution to the above issue by introducing a new method to fabricate holographic concave micro-mirror array sheets and explain how they work in detail. 3D light field reconstructions of the size 20 cm×10 cm and 6cm in depth are achieved using a conventional projector without any collimation optics.

A novel optimization framework for VMAT with dynamic gantry couch rotation

Existing volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) optimization using coplanar arcs is highly efficient but usually dosimetrically inferior to intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with optimized non-coplanar beams. To achieve both dosimetric quality and delivery efficiency, we proposed in this study, a novel integrated optimization method for non-coplanar VMAT (4πVMAT). 4πVMAT with direct aperture optimization (DAO) was achieved by utilizing a least square dose fidelity objective, along with an anisotropic total variation term for regularizing the fluence smoothness, a single segment term for imposing simple apertures, and a group sparsity term for selecting beam angles. Continuous gantry/couch angle trajectories were selected using the Dijkstra’s algorithm, where the edge and node costs were determined based on the maximal gantry rotation speed and the estimated fluence map at the current iteration, respectively. The couch–gantry–patient collision space was calculated based on actual machine geometry and a human subject 3D surface. Beams leading to collision are excluded from the DAO and beam trajectory selection (BTS). An alternating optimization strategy was implemented to solve the integrated DAO and BTS problem. The feasibility of 4πVMAT using one full-arc or two full-arcs was tested on nine patients with brain, lung, or prostate cancer. The plan was compared against a coplanar VMAT (2πVMAT) plan using one additional arc and collimator rotation. Compared to 2πVMAT, 4πVMAT reduced the average maximum and mean organs-at-risk dose by 9.63% and 3.08% of the prescription dose with the same target coverage. R50 was reduced by 23.0%. Maximum doses to the dose limiting organs, such as the brainstem, the major vessels, and the proximal bronchus, were reduced by 8.1 Gy (64.8%), 16.3 Gy (41.5%), and 19.83 Gy (55.5%), respectively. The novel 4πVMAT approach affords efficient delivery of non-coplanar arc trajectories that lead to dosimetric improvements compared with coplanar VMAT using more arcs.

Progress on HL-LHC Nb3Sn Magnets

The high-luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) project aims at allowing to increase the collisions in the LHC by a factor of ten in the decade 2025-2035. One essential element is the superconducting magnet around the interaction region points, where the large aperture magnets will be installed to allow to further reduce the beam size in the interaction point. The core of this upgrade is the Nb3Sn triplet, made up of 150-mm aperture quadrupoles in the range of 7-8 m. The project is being shared between the European Organization for Nuclear Research and the US Accelerator Upgrade Program, based on the same design, and on the two strand technologies. The project is ending the short model phase, and entering the prototype construction. We will report on the main results of the short model program, including the quench performance and field quality. A second important element is the 11 T dipole that replaces a standard dipole making space for additional collimators. The magnet is also ending the model development and entering the prototype phase. A critical point in the design of this magnet is the large current density, allowing increase of the field from 8 to 11 T with the same coil cross section as in the LHC dipoles. This is also the first two-in-one Nb3Sn magnet developed so far. We will report the main results on the test and the critical aspects.