Two-dimensional Detector Array Research Articles

Towards combined quantum bit detection and spatial tracking using an arrayed single-photon sensor.

Experimental quantum key distribution through free-space channels requires accurate pointing-and-tracking to co-align telescopes for efficient transmission. The hardware requirements for the sender and receiver could be drastically reduced by combining the detection of quantum bits and spatial tracking signal using two-dimensional single-photon detector arrays. Here, we apply a two-dimensional CMOS single-photon avalanche diode detector array to measure and monitor the single-photon level interference of a free-space time-bin receiver interferometer while simultaneously tracking the spatial position of the single-photon level signal. We verify an angular field-of-view of 1.28° and demonstrate a post-processing technique to reduce background noise. The experimental results show a promising future for two-dimensional single-photon detectors in low-light level free-space communications, such as quantum communications.

A digital system of acquisition and coincidence for SANS

We have developed multi-channel signal acquisition with a coincidence digital circuit for a two-dimensional detector array of the small-angle neutron scattering spectrometer (SANS) of the Institute of Nuclear Physical Chemistry at the Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics. This paper discusses how to determine such factors as the coincidence time window and program dead time according to the characteristics of the detector signal and how to correct the timer to realize the data coincidence. The whole system can support up to 192 analog channels connected to a fast analog-to-digital converter, supporting speeds of 50 MSPS for each channel managed by a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The internal clock of the FPGA is 50 MHz and the time accuracy is 20 ns. Preliminary experiments are carried out and the results are presented and discussed. The whole design can fully meet the needs of the spectrometer.

Analysis of the applicability of two-dimensional detector arrays in terms of sampling rate and detector size to verify scanned intensity-modulated proton therapy plans.

The introduction of advanced treatment techniques in proton therapy, such as intensity-modulated proton therapy, leads to an increased need for patient-specific quality assurance, especially an accurate treatment plan verification becomes inevitable. In this study, signal theoretical analysis of dose distributions in scanned proton therapy is performed to investigate the feasibility and limits of two-dimensional (2D) detector arrays for treatment plan verification. 2D detector arrays are characterized by two main aspects: the distance between the single detectors on the array or the sampling frequency; and the lateral response functions of a single detector. The analysis is based on single spots, reference fields and on measured and calculated dose distributions of typical intensity-modulated proton therapy treatment plans with and without range shifter. Measurements were performed with Gafchromic EBT3 films (Ashland Speciality Ingredients G.P., Bridgewater, NJ, USA), the MatriXX PT detector array (IBA Dosimetry, Schwarzenbruck, Germany) and the OCTAVIUS detector array 1500XDR (PTW-Freiburg, Germany) at an IBA Proteus PLUS proton therapy system (Ion Beam Applications, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium). Dose calculations were performed with the treatment planning system RayStation 6 or 8 (RaySearch Laboratories, Sweden). The Fourier analysis of the data of the treatment planning system and film measurements show maximum frequencies of 0.06/mm for the plan with range shifter and 0.083/mm for the plan without range shifter. According to the Nyquist theorem, this corresponds to minimum required sampling distances of 8.3 and 6mm, respectively. By comparison, the sampling distances of the arrays of 7.6mm (MatriXX PT) and 7.1mm (OD1500XDR) are sufficient to reconstruct the dose distributions adequately from measurements if range shifters are used, whereas some fields of the plans without range shifter violated the Nyquist requirement. The lateral dose response functions of the single detectors within the arrays have clearly higher frequencies than the treatment plans and thus the volume effect only slightly influences the measurements. Consequently, the array measurements show high gamma passing rates with at least 96 % and a good agreement between the investigated line profiles. The results indicate that the detector dimensions and sampling distances of the arrays are in most studied cases adequate not to substantially influence the measurement process when they are used for analyzing typical intensity-modulated proton therapy treatment plans. Nevertheless, clinical conditions have been identified, for instance treatment plans without range shifter, under which the Nyquist theorem is violated such that a full representation of the dose distributions with the measurements is not feasible. In these cases, analysis of measurements is limited to pointwise comparisons.

Evaluation of patient specific quality assurance of gated field in field radiation therapy technique using two-dimensional detector array

Introduction: Gated tangential field-in-field (FIF) technique is used to lower the dose to organs at risk for breast cancer radiotherapy (RT). In this study, the authors investigated the accuracy of the delivered treatment plan with and without gating using a two-dimensional detector array for patient-specific verification purposes.Methods: In this study, a 6MV beams were used for the merged FIF RT (forward Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy). The respiration signals for gated FIF delivery were obtained from the one-dimensional moving phantom using the real-time position management (RPM) system (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA). RPM system used for four-dimensional computed tomography scanner light-speed, GE is based on an infrared camera to detect motion of external 6-point marker. The beams were delivered using a Clinac iX (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA) with the multileaf collimator Millennium 120. The MapCheck2 (SunNuclear, Florida) was used for the evaluation of treatment plans. MapCheck2 was validated through a comparison with measurements from a farmer-type ion chamber. Gated beams were delivered using a maximum dose rate with varying duty cycles and analyzed the MapCheck2 data to evaluate treatment plan delivery accuracy.Results: Results of the gamma passing rate for relative and absolute dose differences for all ungated and gated beams were between 95.1% and 100%.Conclusion: Gated FIF technique can deliver an accurate dose to a detector during gated breast cancer RT. There is no significance between gated and ungated patient-specific quality assurance (PSQA); one can use ungated PSQA for verification of treatment plan delivery

Development of a fast calibration method for image mapping spectrometry.

An image mapping spectrometer (IMS) is a snapshot hyperspectral imager that simultaneously captures both the spatial (x, y) and spectral (λ) information of incoming light. The IMS maps a three-dimensional (3D) datacube (x, y, λ) to a two-dimensional (2D) detector array (x, y) for parallel measurement. To reconstruct the original 3D datacube, one must construct a lookup table that connects voxels in the datacube and pixels in the raw image. Previous calibration methods suffer from either low speed or poor image quality. We herein present a slit-scan calibration method that can significantly reduce the calibration time while maintaining high accuracy. Moreover, we quantitatively analyzed the major artifact in the IMS, the striped image, and developed three numerical methods to correct for it.

Application of Two-Dimensional Detector Arrays to the Delivery Quality Assurance in Breast IMRT

Most two-dimensional (2D) detector arrays used for the verification of the intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) dose distribution comprise diode detectors or ion chamber detectors. These detectors show different sensitivities depending on the angle of incidence of the IMRT beam on the detector. In this study, the effect of the radiation beam’s angle of incidence onto the detector was analyzed in order to find an optimal 2D detector array setup position for delivery quality assurance in breast IMRT. For breast IMRT plans, comprising mostly tangential fields, the dose distribution produced with true composite beams was measured by arranging 2D detector array devices at various angles. The change in dosimetric accuracy was then assessed as a function of the radiation beam’s angle of incidence. A total of 72 dose distributions were measured and analyzed for 12 breast IMRT plans. Both the diode detector array and the ion chamber array showed a higher gamma passing ratio in the sagittal dose distribution measurement, where the beam’s angle of incidence was relatively larger. This study indicates that using a 2D detector array placed at a relatively large angle of incidence offers a more accurate verification of the IMRT dose distribution.

A Method to Enhance the Spatial Resolution of the Two-dimensional Detector Arrays for the Precise Dose Assessment of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

Two-dimensional (2D) detector arrays are widely used in the patient-specific quality assurance of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). One of the disadvantages of the 2D detector arrays is the low spatial resolution. We proposed a new method to enhance the spatial resolution of the 2D detector arrays. We showed that this method also reduced the volume effect of a detector element. To demonstrate the method we evaluated one field of an IMRT verification plan with the 2D ion chamber array. An open field was measured and its penumbra width was evaluated to show the reduction of the volume effect of the detector. Using the proposed method, the distance between measurement points was reduced from 7.62 mm to 6.00 mm and the penumbral width was also reduced.

Two-dimensional solid-state array detectors: A technique for in vivo dose verification in a variable effective area.

PurposeWe introduce a technique that employs a 2D detector in transmission mode (TM) to verify dose maps at a depth of dmax in Solid Water. TM measurements, when taken at a different surface‐to‐detector distance (SDD), allow for the area at dmax (in which the dose map is calculated) to be adjusted.MethodsWe considered the detector prototype “MP512” (an array of 512 diode‐sensitive volumes, 2 mm spatial resolution). Measurements in transmission mode were taken at SDDs in the range from 0.3 to 24 cm. Dose mode (DM) measurements were made at dmax in Solid Water. We considered radiation fields in the range from 2 × 2 cm2 to 10 × 10 cm2, produced by 6 MV flattened photon beams; we derived a relationship between DM and TM measurements as a function of SDD and field size. The relationship was used to calculate, from TM measurements at 4 and 24 cm SDD, dose maps at dmax in fields of 1 × 1 cm2 and 4 × 4 cm2, and in IMRT fields. Calculations were cross‐checked (gamma analysis) with the treatment planning system and with measurements (MP512, films, ionization chamber).ResultsIn the square fields, calculations agreed with measurements to within ±2.36%. In the IMRT fields, using acceptance criteria of 3%/3 mm, 2%/2 mm, 1%/1 mm, calculations had respective gamma passing rates greater than 96.89%, 90.50%, 62.20% (for a 4 cm SSD); and greater than 97.22%, 93.80%, 59.00% (for a 24 cm SSD). Lower rates (1%/1 mm criterion) can be explained by submillimeter misalignments, dose averaging in calculations, noise artifacts in film dosimetry.ConclusionsIt is possible to perform TM measurements at the SSD which produces the best fit between the area at dmax in which the dose map is calculated and the size of the monitored target.

Small Angle Neutron Scattering Spectrometer Detector of China Spallation Neutron Source

The detector of SANS is one of the key instruments for Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) Spectrometer. It needs large areas of detection, high efficiencies of detection and high spatial resolutions. It is also required to be able to work stably and move forward and backward in a vacuum tube. Two-dimensional detector array of an effective area of 1 000 mm (X)×1 020 mm (Y) is constructed using 120 position-sensitive 3He tubes of 8 mm in diameter. The SANS detector array is divided into 10 modules, each of which is completely independent and includes 12 3He tubes and corresponding readout electronics and data acquisition systems. The readout electronics located in the back of the detector is developed by CSNS independently. It takes 3 years in total since the detector of SANS was designed, selected, tested and installed. The experimental result of neutron beams shows that the detection efficiency of the detector is more than 50% (@2 A) and the spatial resolution of the detector is below 10 mm (FWHM). The performances fully meets the requirements of designs. The detector is working at the SANS of CSNS now.

Clinical Evaluation of a Two-dimensional Liquid-Filled Ion chamber Detector Array for Verification of High Modulation Small Fields in Radiotherapy.

Introduction:Clinical evaluation of a two-dimensional (2D) liquid-filled ion chamber detector array used in the verification of highly modulated small beams of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has been conducted.Materials and Methods:Measurements with the Octavius 1000 SRS (PTW, Freiburg, Germany) detector with 977 liquid-filled ion chambers were compared against EDR2 film and PTW Octavius Seven29. The performance of detector array has been evaluated on ten SBRT patient plans. Dose profiles of individual and composite fields' calculated using Pinnacle3 treatment planning system were compared against measurements with Octavius 1000 SRS detector array, EDR2 film, and Octavius Seven29 detector. Gamma index and profile comparison were used in the evaluation and assessment of the detector's performance.Results:The Gamma index measurements show agreement between Pinnacle3 computations and Octavius 1000 SRS array, PTW Octavius Seven29, and EDR2 film for >90% of the points using 2%, 2 mm tolerance criteria. Profiles obtained with the Octavius 1000 SRS were in agreement with the EDR2 film profiles, demonstrating the detector's superior sampling rate.Conclusions:The Octavius 1000 SRS is a dosimetrically accurate device to perform quality assurance checks in SBRT treatments. The broad range of measurements performed in this study quantified the dosimetric accuracy of Octavius 1000 SRS detector in the clinical setup of the small fields in radiotherapy.

A quality assurance for respiratory gated proton irradiation with range modulation wheel.

The purpose of this study was to provide periodic quality assurance (QA) methods for respiratory‐gated proton beam with a range modulation wheel (RMW) and to clarify the characteristics and long‐term stability of the respiratory‐gated proton beam. A two‐dimensional detector array and a solid water phantom were used to measure absolute dose, spread‐out Bragg peak (SOBP) width and proton range for monthly QA. SOBP width and proton range were measured using an oblique incidence beam to the lateral side of a solid water phantom and compared between with and without a gating proton beam. To measure the delay time of beam‐on/off for annual QA, we collected the beam‐on/off signals and the dose monitor‐detected pulse. We analyzed the results of monthly QA over a 15‐month period and investigated the delay time by machine signal analysis. The dose deviations at proximal, SOBP center and distal points were −0.083 ± 0.25%, 0.026 ± 0.20%, and −0.083 ± 0.35%, respectively. The maximum dose deviation between with and without respiratory gating was −0.95% at the distal point and other deviations were within ±0.5%. Proximal and SOBP center doses showed the same trend over a 15‐month period. Delay times of beam‐on/off for 200 MeV/SOBP 16 cm were 140.5 ± 0.8 ms and 22.3 ± 13.0 ms, respectively. Delay times for 160 MeV/SOBP 10 cm were 167.5 ± 15.1 ms and 19.1 ± 9.8 ms. Our beam delivery system with the RMW showed sufficient stability for respiratory‐gated proton therapy and the system did not show dependency on the energy and the respiratory wave form. The delay times of beam‐on/off were within expectations. The proposed QA methods will be useful for managing the quality of respiratory‐gated proton beams and other beam delivery systems.

Automation of routine elements for spot-scanning proton patient-specific quality assurance.

At our institution, all proton patient plans undergo patient-specific quality assurance (PSQA) prior to treatment delivery. For intensity-modulated proton beam therapy, quality assurance is complex and time consuming, and it may involve multiple measurements per field. We reviewed our PSQA workflow and identified the steps that could be automated and developed solutions to improve efficiency. We used the treatment planning system's (TPS) capability to support C# scripts to develop an Eclipse scripting application programming interface (ESAPI) script and automate the preparation of the verification phantom plan for measurements. A local area network (LAN) connection between our measurement equipment and shared database was established to facilitate equipment control, measurement data transfer, and storage. To improve the analysis of the measurement data, a Python script was developed to automatically perform a 2D-3D γ-index analysis comparing measurements in the plane of a two-dimensional detector array with TPS predictions in a water phantom for each acquired measurement. Device connection via LAN granted immediate access to the plan and measurement information for downstream analysis using an online software suite. Automated scripts applied to verification plans reduced time from preparation steps by at least 50%; time reduction from automating γ-index analysis was even more pronounced, dropping by a factor of 10. On average, we observed an overall time savings of 55% in completion of the PSQA per patient plan. The automation of the routine tasks in the PSQA workflow significantly reduced the time required per patient, reduced user fatigue, and frees up system users from routine and repetitive workflow steps allowing increased focus on evaluating key quality metrics.

A High-Performance Spectrometer with Two Spectral Channels Sharing the Same BSI-CMOS Detector

Optical spectrometers play an important role in modern scientific research. In this work, we present a two-channel spectrometer with a pixel resolution of better than 0.1 nm/pixel in the wavelength range of 200 to 950 nm and an acquisition speed of approximately 25 spectra per second. The spectrometer reaches a high k factor which characterizes the spectral performance of the spectrometer as k = (working wavelength region)/(pixel resolution) = 7500. Instead of using mechanical moving parts in traditional designs, the spectrometer consists of 8 integrated sub-gratings for diffracting and imaging two sets of 4-folded spectra on the upper and lower parts, respectively, of the focal plane of a two-dimensional backside-illuminated complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (BSI-CMOS) array detector, which shows a high peak quantum efficiency of approximately 90% at 400 nm. In addition to the advantage of being cost-effective, the compact design of the spectrometer makes it advantageous for applications in which it is desirable to use the same two-dimensional array detector to simultaneously measure multiple spectra under precisely the same working conditions to reduce environmental effects. The performance of the finished spectrometer is tested and confirmed with an Hg-Ar lamp.

A large-area blackbody for in-flight calibration of an infrared interferometer deployed on board a long-duration balloon for stratospheric research

Abstract. The deployment of the imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer GLORIA (Gimballed Limb Observer for Radiance Imaging of the Atmosphere) on board a long-duration balloon for stratospheric research requires a blackbody for in-flight calibration in order to provide traceability to the International Temperature Scale (ITS-90) to ensure comparability with the results of other experiments and over time. GLORIA, which has been deployed onboard various research aircraft such as the Russian M55 Geophysica or the German HALO in the past, shall also be used for detailed atmospheric measurements in the stratosphere up to 40 km altitude. The instrument uses a two-dimensional detector array and an imaging optics with a large aperture diameter of 36 mm and an opening angle of 4.07∘ × 4.07∘ for infrared limb observations. To overfill the field of view (FOV) of the instrument, a large-area blackbody radiation sources (125 mm × 125 mm) is required for in-flight calibration. In order to meet the requirements regarding the scientific goals of the GLORIA missions, the radiance temperature of the blackbody calibration source has to be determined to better than 100 mK and the spatial temperature uniformity shall be better than 150 mK. As electrical resources on board a stratospheric balloon are very limited, the latent heat of the phase change of a eutectic material is utilized for temperature stabilization of the calibration source, such that the blackbody has a constant temperature of about −32 ∘C corresponding to a typical temperature observed in the stratosphere. The Institute for Atmospheric and Environmental Research at the University of Wuppertal designed and manufactured a prototype of the large-area blackbody for in-flight calibration of an infrared interferometer deployed on board a long-duration balloon for stratospheric research. This newly developed calibration source was tested under lab conditions as well as in a climatic and environmental test chamber in order to verify its performance especially under flight conditions. At the PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt), the German national metrology institute, the spatial radiance distribution of the blackbody was determined and traceability to the International Temperature Scale (ITS-90) has been assured. In this paper the design and performance of the balloon-borne blackbody (BBB) is presented.

Fiber-based three-dimensional multi-mode interference device as efficient power divider and vector curvature sensor

Three-dimensional multi-mode interference devices are demonstrated using a single-mode fiber (SMF) center-spliced to a section of polygon-shaped core multimode fiber (MMF). This simple structure can effectively generate well-localized self-focusing spots that match to the layout of a chosen multi-core fiber (MCF) as a launcher device. An optimized hexagon-core MMF can provide efficient coupling from a SMF to a 7-core MCF with an insertion loss of 0.6 dB and a power imbalance of 0.5 dB, while a square-core MMF can form a self-imaging pattern with symmetrically distributed 2 × 2, 3 × 3 or 4 × 4 spots. These spots can be directly received by a two-dimensional detector array. The device can work as a vector curvature sensor by comparing the relative power among the spots with a resolution of ∼0.1° over a 1.8 mm-long MMF.

Random Noise Reduction with More Accurate Calibration for a Spectrometer Using a Two-Dimensional Array Detector

An efficient noise-reduction method with a more accurate wavelength calibration procedure is proposed for a spectrometer system to achieve a higher signal-to-noise ratio and spectral resolution. By using a two-dimensional (2D) array detector with an integrated grating composed of 10 sub-gratings, the system has a merit of high data acquisition speed to satisfy the condition in which in-situ spectral data analysis is critically required. The noise level has been effectively reduced down to approximately 25% of the previous level. The spectral curvature effect due to imperfection of the optical system is also analyzed and significantly reduced using the spectral calibration procedure to achieve higher resolution.

Comparative evaluation of three modern turning-angle sensors

Three modern turning-angle sensors, in which two-dimensional radiation detector arrays were used to solve a one-dimensional problem of measurement of a plane angle, were analyzed. Mathematical expressions were obtained for a comparative evaluation of the accuracy of these sensors and their random measurement errors were calculated for a specific radiation detector array used in them, as an example.

Characterizing the astrometric precision limit for moving targets observed with digital-array detectors

Aims. We investigate the maximum astrometric precision that can be reached on moving targets observed with digital-sensor arrays, and provide an estimate for its ultimate lower limit based on the Cramér-Rao bound. Methods. We extend previous work on one-dimensional Gaussian point-spread functions (PSFs) focusing on moving objects and extending the scope to two-dimensional array detectors. In this study the PSF of a stationary point-source celestial body is replaced by its convolution with a linear motion, thus effectively modeling the spread function of a moving target. Results. The expressions of the Cramér-Rao lower bound deduced by this method allow us to study in great detail the limit of astrometric precision that can be reached for moving celestial objects, and to compute an optimal exposure time according to different observational parameters such as seeing, detector pixel size, decentering, and elongation of the source caused by its drift. Comparison to simulated and real data shows that the predictions of our simple model are consistent with observations.

Determination of the source dwell position of an afterloading device with a detector array

It was the aim to develop and test a measurement technique for the source position of an afterloading system using an electronic two-dimensional detector array (2D array). A "GammaMed plus IX" high dose rate afterloading device (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, USA), and a Seven29 2D detector array (PTW Freiburg GmbH, Freiburg, Germany) have been used. A hollow needle has been connected to the afterloading device. Its outer diameter is 3.0 mm and its length about 220mm. A 14 mm thick Perspex slab was fixed in a reproducible position on the 2D array. Above the 14th detector row, a groove was cut in the slab which accommodates the hollow needle in a fixed position relative to the 2D array. In order to define the position of the source, the signals of the detectors in the 14th detector row have been evaluated. A theoretical curve depending on the source position and strength, has been fitted to the acquired detector signals. It has been shown that the reproducibility of the measurement technique - including the reproducibility of the source placement - was within 0.15mm. This method can not only replace film measurements, it is also more exact and less time consuming.

Development of beam monitoring system for proton pencil beam scanning using fiber-optic radiation sensor

We aimed to develop a beam monitoring system based on a fiber-optic radiation sensor (FORS), which can be used in real time in a beam control room, to monitor a beam in proton therapy, where patients are treated using a pencil beam scanning (PBS) mode, by measuring the beam spot width (BSW) and beam spot position (BSP) of the PBS. We developed two-dimensional detector arrays to monitor the PBS beam in the beam control room. We measured the BSW for five energies of the PBS beam and compared the measurements with those of Lynx and EBT3 film. In order to confirm the BSP, we compared the BSP values of the PBS calculated from radiation treatment planning (RTP), to five BSP values measured using FORS at 224.2 MeV. When comparing BSW values obtained using developed monitoring system to the measurements obtained using commercial EBT3 film, the average difference in BSW value of the PBS beam was 0.1 ± 0.1 mm. In the comparison of BSW values with the measurements obtained using Lynx, the average difference was 0.2 ± 0.1 mm. When comparing BSP measurements to the values calculated from RTP, the average difference was 0.4 ± 0.2 mm. The study results confirmed that the developed FORS-based beam monitoring system can monitor a PBS beam in real time in a beam control room, where proton beam is controlled for the patient.