Pulsed Linear Accelerator Research Articles

Simulation and measurement of delayed γ-rays after photon-induced fission

Photon-induced fission has been investigated as a method to detect and identify nuclear materials. Although high-energy delayed-fission γ-rays have been considered as a reliable signature for detection of fissionable materials, interference from γ-rays produced as secondary effects from other photonuclear reactions is inevitable. This effect has been studied in distinguishing fissionable materials from non-fissionable materials based on differential delayed γ-ray yields via both simulation and measurements. The energy spectra of delayed-photofission γ-rays carry isotopic information of the target materials. The feasibility of accurate spectrometry measurements in between intense linear accelerator pulses has been demonstrated using three independent spectroscopy systems. The measured delayed γ-rays spectra were then compared with MCNPX simulation results. Through the comparison, this article intends to show the capabilities of the current version of MCNPX in applications of simulating the photofission process.

Preliminary Monte Carlo simulations of linear accelerators in Time-of-Flight Compton Scatter imaging for cargo security

The economic impact of illicit trade is in the trillions of dollars per year, with a proportion of this trade concealed within cargo containers. The interdiction of this trade relies upon efficient and effective external screening of cargo containers, typically using x rays. The present work introduces a technique of x-ray screening that aims to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of x-ray screening. Traditional X-ray screening of cargo containers is performed using high-energy (MV) transmission imaging or low-energy (kV) Compton scatter imaging to provide two-dimensional images. Two-dimensional images can contain complex, overlapping objects and require significant experience and time to interpret. Time-of-Flight information can be used in conjunction with Compton scatter imaging to provide information about the depth of each Compton scatter interaction, leading to three-dimensional images, reducing false positives and image analysis time. The expected Time-of-Flight from photons scattered back from a set of objects is well defined when the photons are produced with a delta-type (infinitely narrow) pulse duration, however, commercially available linear accelerators used for cargo screening typically have pulse widths of the order of 1 μs. In the present work, the possible use of linear accelerators for Time-of-Flight Compton scatter imaging is investigated using a mixture of analytic and Monte Carlo methods. Ideal data are obtained by convolving a number of wide x-ray pulses (up to 5 μs) with the expected Time-of-Flight from a set of objects using a delta-type pulse. Monte Carlo simulations, using Geant4, have been performed to generate x-ray spectra produced by a linear accelerator. The spectra are then used as the input for detailed Monte Carlo simulations of the Time-of-Flight of photons produced by a single linear accelerator pulse scattering back from a set of objects. Both ideal and Monte Carlo data suggest that Time-of-Flight information can be recovered from a wide linear accelerator pulse, provided that the leading and falling edge of the pulse are sharp. In addition, it has been found that using a linear accelerator leads to double the amount of Time-of-Flight information as both the leading and falling edge are utilised (unlike for a delta-type pulse).

Oxygen tomography by Čerenkov-excited phosphorescence during external beam irradiation

The efficacy of radiation therapy depends strongly on tumor oxygenation during irradiation. However, current techniques to measure this parameter in vivo do not facilitate routine monitoring in patients. Herein, we demonstrate a noninvasive method for tomographic imaging of oxygen partial pressure (pO(2)) in deep tissue using the phosphorescence decay of an oxygen-sensitive probe excited by Čerenkov radiation induced by external beam radiotherapy. Tissue-simulating scattering phantoms (60 mm diameter with a 20 mm anomaly) containing platinum(II)-G4 (PtG4), a dendritic porphyrin-based phosphor, whose phosphorescence is quenched in the presence of oxygen, were irradiated with a clinical linear accelerator. The emitted phosphorescence was measured at various positions on the phantom boundary using a spectrograph coupled to an intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD). At each position, PtG4 phosphorescence decay curves were measured by synchronizing the ICCD to the linear accelerator pulses. Tomographic images of phosphorescence yield and lifetime were recovered for phantoms with homogenous PtG4 concentrations and heterogeneous pO(2). Since PtG4 lifetime is strongly and predictably dependent on pO(2) through the Stern-Volmer relationship, tomographic images of pO(2) were also reported, and showed excellent agreement with independent oxygenation measurements. Translating this approach to the clinic could facilitate direct sensing of pO(2) during radiotherapy.

High‐dose MVCT image guidance for stereotactic body radiation therapy

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a potent treatment for early stage primary and limited metastatic disease. Accurate tumor localization is essential to administer SBRT safely and effectively. Tomotherapy combines helical IMRT with onboard megavoltage CT (MVCT) imaging and is well suited for SBRT; however, MVCT results in reduced soft tissue contrast and increased image noise compared with kilovoltage CT. The goal of this work was to investigate the use of increased imaging doses on a clinical tomotherapy machine to improve image quality for SBRT image guidance. Two nonstandard, high-dose imaging modes were created on a tomotherapy machine by increasing the linear accelerator (LINAC) pulse rate from the nominal setting of 80 Hz, to 160 Hz and 300 Hz, respectively. Weighted CT dose indexes (wCTDIs) were measured for the standard, medium, and high-dose modes in a 30 cm solid water phantom using a calibrated A1SL ion chamber. Image quality was assessed from scans of a customized image quality phantom. Metrics evaluated include: contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs), high-contrast spatial resolution, image uniformity, and percent image noise. In addition, two patients receiving SBRT were localized using high-dose MVCT scans. Raw detector data collected after each scan were used to reconstruct standard-dose images for comparison. MVCT scans acquired using a pitch of 1.0 resulted in wCTDI values of 2.2, 4.7, and 8.5 cGy for the standard, medium, and high-dose modes respectively. CNR values for both low and high-contrast materials were found to increase with the square root of dose. Axial high-contrast spatial resolution was comparable for all imaging modes at 0.5 lp∕mm. Image uniformity was improved and percent noise decreased as the imaging dose increased. Similar improvements in image quality were observed in patient images, with decreases in image noise being the most notable. High-dose imaging modes are made possible on a clinical tomotherapy machine by increasing the LINAC pulse rate. Increasing the imaging dose results in increased CNRs; making it easier to distinguish the boundaries of low contrast objects. The imaging dose levels observed in this work are considered acceptable at our institution for SBRT treatments delivered in 3-5 fractions.

The nuclear data program at rensselaer

The nuclear data program at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is centered around a 60 MeV pulsed electron Linear Accelerator (LINAC) configured to deliver pulsed neutron beams. The LINAC electron pulse width can vary between 5 ns and 5 us, a repetition rate of 1–500 pulses per second and neutron yield of up to 1013 n/s. Over the years several experimental setups and techniques were developed to enable a variety of measurement capabilities. The experiments cover the energy range from 0.001 eV to 20 MeV and included neutron transmission, capture, scattering and fission measurements. The facility is also equipped with a Lead Slowing-Down Spectrometer (LSDS) producing a high neutron flux that is used for simultaneous measurements of the fission cross section and fission fragment mass and energy distributions. Detectors for (n, alpha) and (n, p) cross section measurements using the LSDS were also developed and measurements of (n, alpha) cross section were completed. The high neutron flux inside the LSDS enables measurements on small samples (sub micrograms) or samples with small cross section (sub millibarns).In order to fully utilize the capabilities of the facility, several measurement techniques were developed; high accuracy (<1%) total cross sections were measured using iron and uranium filtered neutron beams. A system for fast neutron scattering measurements using an array of liquid scintillators and a digital data acquisition system was recently developed and used for several measurements and is now being adapted for fission neutron studies.Methods for simultaneous measurements of fission and capture cross sections using the RPI multiplicity detector are under development and new modular detectors for both fast and resonance region neutron detection were developed and deployed.These developments result in numerous measurements on different materials and provide input to improved evaluated nuclear data libraries and thus help improve the accuracy of calculations of nuclear reactors and other nuclear systems.

An algorithm for real-time dosimetry in intensity-modulated radiation therapy using the radioluminescence signal from Al2O3:C

Although the radioluminescence (RL) signal from optical fibre Al(2)O(3):C dosemeters used in medical applications is essentially proportional to dose rate, the crystals used so far are imperfect in the sense that their RL sensitivity changes with accumulated dose. A computational algorithm has been developed that corrects for these sensitivity changes. We further report on a new system that effectively separates the RL signal generated in the crystal from fluorescence and Cerenkov emission generated in the optical fibre cable using a gating technique in connection with pulsed linear accelerator radiation beams. The dosimetry system has been used for dose measurements in a phantom during an intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment with 6 MV photons. The RL measurement results are in excellent agreement (i.e. within 1%) with both the OSL results and the dose delivered according to the treatment planning system. RL signals from Al(2)O(3):C can be used for real-time dose rate measurements with a time resolution of approximately 0.1 s and a spatial resolution only limited by the size of the detector (<0.5 mm).

F-18 production with the TOP linac injector

ENEA and ISS (Italian National Institute of Health), are collaborating to develop a dedicated proton medical accelerator, TOP (Oncological Therapy with Protons) linac, consisting of a sequence of three pulsed linear accelerators. The 7 MeV injector can be used in three operating modes: Protontherapy and Radiobiology Mode—injecting low current proton beam into the TOP linac accelerating sections; Radioisotope Mode—generating an intense proton beam (8–10 mA, 50–100 μs, 30–100 Hz) to produce the positron-emitting radionuclide F18 for PET analyses. In the high current mode, at the exit of the injector the beam is guided through a magnetic quadrupoles channel to a target composed by a thin chamber (0.5 mm thick and 1 in. diameter) containing water enriched with O18. Production yield as well as total activity similar to these achieved with higher energy cyclotrons have been obtained. Environmental doses measured give indications on the shielding required for operation under current radioprotection regulations. Improvements are foreseen to optimize the production yield, the useful beam current and to better characterize gamma and neutron dose rates in the different operational modes.

Status of the TOP Linac project

The TOP Linac (Oncological Therapy with Protons), under development by ENEA and ISS is a sequence of three pulsed (5 μs 300 Hz) linear accelerators: a 7 MeV, 425 MHz RFQ+DTL (AccSys Model PL-7), a 7–65 MeV, 2998 MHz Side Coupled Drift Tube Linac (SCDTL) and a 65–200 MeV, variable energy 2998 MHz Side Coupled Linac (SCL). The status of the project will be presented. The 7 MeV injector is installed at ENEA-Frascati laboratories. The first SCDTL module structure, composed by nine DTL tanks coupled by eight side cavities, has been built and tested on RF bench, so that it is ready for proton acceleration. The results of the measurements done will be also shown.

Photofission tomography of nuclear waste packages

Quantifying the mass of actinides in large concrete waste packages using non-destructive methods is a major challenge for the management and the storage of packages in appropriate facilities. Since the beginning of 1990s, our team in CEA has been working on the development of a method based on interrogation with high-energy photons to assay actinides in large concrete waste package. The method consists in using photons of high energy (bremsstrahlung radiation) in order to induce photofission reactions on the fissile nuclei present in the wastes. The measurement of the delayed neutrons emitted by fission products allows us to quantify the actinides present in the wastes. The accuracy of the method can be deeply improved by carrying out a tomography, i.e. computing the three-dimensional spatial distribution of the actinide mass inside the nuclear waste package. This paper presents the first experimental results of a tomography carried out on a 1.2 t real concrete waste package. Measurements associated with reconstruction algorithms and Monte Carlo simulations have allowed to locate an equivalent mass of 690 mg of uranium 238 centered in a disc of 20–25 cm of diameter at 75 cm height. These measurements have been performed in the SAPHIR irradiation facility at CEA/Saclay. This facility houses a pulsed linear electron accelerator (energy range from 15 to 30 MeV, pulse duration of 2.5 μs, peak current of 130 mA). The located mass has been subsequently confirmed by a destructive analysis of the package.

Modelling simple helically delivered dose distributions**This work was funded by NIH grant P01 CA088960.

In a previous paper, we described quality assurance procedures for Hi-Art helical tomotherapy machines. Here, we develop further some ideas discussed briefly in that paper. Simple helically generated dose distributions are modelled, and relationships between these dose distributions and underlying characteristics of Hi-Art treatment systems are elucidated. In particular, we describe the dependence of dose levels along the central axis of a cylinder aligned coaxially with a Hi-Art machine on fan beam width, couch velocity and helical delivery lengths. The impact on these dose levels of angular variations in gantry speed or output per linear accelerator pulse is also explored.

Functional and anatomic alterations in the gentamicin-damaged vestibular system in the guinea pig.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the expected functional and morphologic effect of gentamicin on the vestibular system simultaneously by measurement of vestibular evoked potentials and electron microscopic evaluation. Vestibular short-latency evoked potentials to linear acceleration have been shown to be a useful parameter of vestibular function. In gentamicin-treated animals, the morphologic damage has been well documented, although this has seldom been quantified. Fifteen guinea pigs were divided into three equal groups. Two groups received different dosages of intramuscular gentamicin for 3 weeks; the third group was the control group. Vestibular short-latency evoked potentials to linear acceleration pulses were measured. After the last gentamicin dose, the utricles were prepared for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. On scanning electron microscopy photographs, the surface area damage ratio of the utricles, a simple method of quantifying gross morphologic damage, was calculated. The vestibular short-latency evoked potential of gentamicin-treated guinea pigs showed a slow-developing, damaging, dose-response effect on the function of the vestibular system (p = 0.01). Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed severe morphologic damage in the sensory hair cells of the utricle. The surface area damage ratio showed a dose-response relationship (p = 0.01). Functional and anatomic alterations in the gentamicin-damaged vestibular system in the guinea pig are related.

Characterization of a transmission ionization beam-imager for radiotherapy verification

A system for radiotherapy treatment verification is proposed, using an air-ionization chamber with 1600 simultaneously readable 1 cm pixels. An image of the entire beam may be used to calibrate a portal image, to verify the position of the multi-leaf collimator with respect to delivered dose (either before or during treatment) and to check beam flatness and symmetry. This study characterizes the physical behaviour of such a system. A test chamber has been constructed and its temporal and spatial resolution and noise characteristics are evaluated. Several parameters of the design are varied, and their effects assessed. Temporal resolution is adequate to allow readout between each linear accelerator pulse at 400 pulses per second. Application of low atomic-number build-up and reduction of plate separation were the most effective methods to improve spatial resolution. The full width at half maximum of the line-spread function is shown to be 4.5 mm using a pre-sampling technique. The peak pixel-signal to x-ray quantum noise ratio exceeds 100. Prototype electronics have been tested, demonstrating that electronic noise could be reduced to a level below the x-ray quantum noise. The results of the study allow the simulation of any possible application to evaluate the proposed verification system.

Experimental electronuclear setup at the institute of theoretical and experimental physics

The purpose and current construction status, at the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics, of an experimental electronuclear setup, combining a pulsed proton linear accelerator (36 MeV, 0.5 mA) and a subcritical blanket thermal-power assembly 100 kW, are discussed. The main equipment is already available or is being built in industry. The setup can be used to investigate the dynamics of the interaction of a linac–driver and a subcritical reactor and problems concerning the accelerator–driver and the target–blanket assembly. The proton beams and neutron fluxes will be used for applied purposes. In the future it will be possible to increase substantially the current and energy of the proton beam.

Measurement of the Beam Position in the Extraction System of the ILU-10 Linear Electron Accelerator

A system for measuring beam position for a ILU-10 pulsed linear electron accelerator is described. The accelerator generates an electron beam with energy up to 5 MeV. The rf generator operates at 115 MHz in the pulsed mode with pulse duration of about 500 μsec and pulse repetition frequency up to 50 Hz. The average beam power can reach 60 kW. Two electrostatic sensors (pickups) are used to measure the position of the beam. The principle of operation of the measurement apparatus is based on homodyne detection of the signals from the pickups. The second harmonic of the frequency of the accelerating voltage of the accelerator power supply (230 MHz) is chosen as the working frequency. The detected signal is fed from each pickup plate into an integrator and then a ADC. The beam position is calculated on a computer. The resulting error in the beam coordinates is about 0.5 mm with a 110 mm in diameter position sensor.

Fissile and non-fissile element separation in concrete radioactive waste drums using the SIMPHONIE method

The simultaneous photon and neutron interrogation experiment (SIMPHONIE) method, applied to radioactive waste drum characterization, has already been treated in [F. Jallu, A. Lyoussi, C. Passard, E. Payan, H. Recroix, G. Nurdin, A. Buisson, J. Allano, Nucl. Instr. and Meth. B 170 (2000) 489]. First experimental results carried out with U and Pu bare samples were presented, that showed the feasibility of quantifying fissile ( 235U, 239,241Pu, …) and non-fissile ( 234,236,238U, 238,240Pu, …) elements separately in only one measurement, using both active neutron interrogation and induced photofission interrogation techniques simultaneously. This paper presents new experimental results carried out with U samples embedded in a concrete matrix. These results have been obtained using the DGA/ETCA MiniLinatron pulsed linear electron accelerator located at Arcueil, France. Mass detection limits of less than 2 g of matter have been obtained with the preliminary setup used in these experiments.

The Vestibular Evoked Response to Linear, Alternating, Acceleration Pulses without Acoustic Masking as a Parameter of Vestibular Function

In this study, short latency vestibular evoked potentials (VsEPs) were recorded in five guinea pigs in response to alternating linear acceleration pulses with and without acoustic masking. A steel bolt was implanted in the skull and coupled to a shaker. Linear acceleration pulses (n=400) in upward, downward or alternating directions were given, with a peak acceleration of 4g after 0.5 msec. Tests were repeated with acoustic masking, after modiolus destruction and after application of KCl in the vestibule. Stimuli of the vestibular nerve were recorded with a platinum electrode in the bony facial nerve canal in the bulla. Unilateral linear acceleration showed a shallow plateau at 0.5 msec, which disappeared with alternating acceleration impulses and after modiolus destruction. Therefore all further tests were done with alternating impulses. After a latency time of 0.8 msec a multiwave response was seen, with a first positive peak P1 at 1.16 ms. These were followed by other positive and negative peaks (N1, P2, N2, P3, N3). With the elimination of cochlear influences by using acoustic masking, P1 remained stable, while subsequent peaks were altered or eliminated. After modiolus destruction, the P1 peak remained, although with a smaller amplitude due to vestibular damage. After application of a saturated KCl solution in the vestibule all responses, including P1, disappeared, thus confirming the vestibular origin of these responses. We conclude that the onset latency of the VsEP and the peak latency and level of the first positive peak P1 in response to alternating linear acceleration pulses without acoustic masking, measured in the facial canal, are good and stable parameters of vestibular function in guinea pigs.

The simultaneous neutron and photon interrogation method for fissile and non-fissile element separation in radioactive waste drums

Measuring α-emitters such as ( 234,235,236,238U, 238,239,240,242,244Pu, 237Np, 241,243Am, …), in solid radioactive waste allows us to quantify the α-activity in a drum and then to classify it. The simultaneous photon and neutron interrogation experiment (SIMPHONIE) method dealt with in this paper, combines both active neutron interrogation and induced photofission interrogation techniques simultaneously. Its purpose is to quantify fissile ( 235U, 239,241Pu, …) and non-fissile ( 236,238U, 238,240Pu, …) elements separately in only one measurement. This paper presents the principle of the method, the experimental setup, and the first experimental results obtained using the DGA/ETCA Linac and MiniLinatron pulsed linear electron accelerators located at Arcueil, France. First studies were carried out with U and Pu bare samples.

Evaluation of the vestibular system in experimental animal research: morphology and electrophysiology

Objective. The development of methods to evaluate the vestibular system in animal research and models. Methods. Morphological and electrophysiological methods were chosen. Morphology: specimens of the vestibular system, in particular the utricle were obtained in guinea-pigs at intracardiac death after rapid preparation and fixation of the vestibular sensory organs. These were prepared for low voltage scanning electron microscopy. Electrophysiology: 400 linear acceleration pulses were given. An electrode was placed in the facial nerve canal. Compound action potentials were measured and averaged. Elimination of cochlear contributions was obtained by alternating pulses, modiolus destruction and acoustic masking. The measurements were longitudinally repeated. Results. Morphology: in normal guinea-pigs, a clear overview and detailed pictures were obtained, useful for evaluation of morphological changes. Electrophysiology: longitudinally, intraindividual constant amplitudes and latencies were measured without cochlear contributions. Conclusion. Evaluation of the vestibular system in an animal model can be obtained in the guinea-pig by morphological and electrophysiological parameters.

Vestibular responses to linear acceleration are absent in otoconia-deficient C57BL/6JEi-het mice

Vestibular evoked potentials (VsEPs) were measured in normal mice and in mice homozygous for the head tilt mutation (het/het, abbr. het). The het mice lack otoconia, the inertial mass critical for natural stimulation of inner ear gravity receptors. Our findings demonstrate that vestibular neural responses to pulsed linear acceleration are absent in het mice. The results: (1) confirm that adequate sensory stimuli fail to activate gravity receptors in the het model; and (2) serve as definitive evidence that far-field vestibular responses to pulsed linear acceleration depend critically on otolith end organs. The C57BL/6JEi-het mouse may be an excellent model of gravity receptor sensory deprivation.

The Adequate Stimulus for Avian Short Latency Vestibular Responses to Linear Translation

Transient linear acceleration stimuli have been shown to elicit eighth nerve vestibular compound action potentials in birds and mammals. The present study was undertaken to better define the nature of the adequate stimulus for neurons generating the response in the chicken (Gallus domesticus). In particular, the study evaluated the question of whether the neurons studied are most sensitive to the maximum level of linear acceleration achieved or to the rate of change in acceleration (da/dt, or jerk). To do this, vestibular response thresholds were measured as a function of stimulus onset slope. Traditional computer signal averaging was used to record responses to pulsed linear acceleration stimuli. Stimulus onset slope was systematically varied. Acceleration thresholds decreased with increasing stimulus onset slope (decreasing stimulus rise time). When stimuli were expressed in units of jerk (g/ms), thresholds were virtually constant for all stimulus rise times. Moreover, stimuli having identical jerk magnitudes but widely varying peak acceleration levels produced virtually identical responses. Vestibular response thresholds, latencies and amplitudes appear to be determined strictly by stimulus jerk magnitudes. Stimulus attributes such as peak acceleration or rise time alone do not provide sufficient information to predict response parameter quantities. Indeed, the major response parameters were shown to be virtually independent of peak acceleration levels or rise time when these stimulus features were isolated and considered separately. It is concluded that the neurons generating short latency vestibular evoked potentials do so as "jerk encoders" in the chicken. Primary afferents classified as "irregular", and which traditionally fall into the broad category of "dynamic" or "phasic" neurons, would seem to be the most likely candidates for the neural generators of short latency vestibular compound action potentials.