Engineering Commons^™

A Silicon Strip Detector Dose Magnifying Glass For Imrt Dosimetry, J.H.D Wong, Martin Carolan, Michael Lerch, Marco Petasecca, Sutinder Khanna, V Perevertaylo, Peter Metcalfe, Anatoly Rosenfeld

Michael L.F. Lerch

Purpose: Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) allows the delivery of escalated radiation dose to tumor while sparing adjacent critical organs. In doing so, IMRT plans tend to incorporate steep dose gradients at interfaces between the target and the organs at risk. Current quality assurance (QA) verification tools such as 2D diode arrays, are limited by their spatial resolution and conventional films are nonreal time. In this article, the authors describe a novel silicon strip detector (CMRP DMG) of high spatial resolution (200 μm) suitable for measuring the high dose gradients in an IMRT delivery. Methods: A full characterization of the …

Comparison Of The New Moskin Detector And Fiber Optic Dosimetry System For Radiotherapy, Ian Kwan, Bong Soo Lee, Wook Jae Yoo, Donghyun Cho, Kyoungwon Jang, Sanghun Shin, Martin Carolan, Michael Lerch, V Perevertaylo, Anatoly Rosenfeld

Michael L.F. Lerch

In radiotherapy, interest in real-time dosimetry stems from the desire to monitor the dose delivered to the target volume and the surrounding normal tissue to enable clinicians to track the progress of the treatment, and prevent surrounding tissue from receiving too much radiation dose. In this study, the dosimetric performance of the new MOSkin dosimeter and a Bicron BCF-20 scintillating fiber was compared to depth dose measurements taken with a Farmer-type ionization chamber. The performance of the MOSkin and BCF-20 detectors in the build-up region of the depth dose curve, where the dose gradient is steep, is also compared to …

Potential High Resolution Dosimeters For Mrt, E. Brauer-Krisch, Anatoly B. Rosenfeld, Michael L. Lerch, Marco Petasecca, M. Akselrod, J. Sykora, J. Bartz, M. Ptaszkiewicz, P. Olko, A. Berg, M. Wieland, S. Doran, T. Brochard, A. Kamlowski, G. Cellere, A. Paccagnella, Erik A. Siegbahn, Y. Prezado, I. Martinez-Rovira, A. Bravin, Laurent Dusseau, P. Berkvens

Michael L.F. Lerch

Microbeam Radiation Therapy (MRT) uses highly collimated, quasi-parallel arrays of X-ray microbeams of 50-600 keV, produced by 2nd and 3rd generation synchrotron sources, such as the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) in the U.S., and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in France, respectively. High dose rates are necessary to deliver therapeutic doses in microscopic volumes, to avoid spreading of the microbeams by cardiosynchronous movement of the tissues. A small beam divergence and a filtered white beam spectrum in the energy range between 30 and 250 keV results in the advantage of steep dose gradients with a sharper penumbra than …

Evaluation Of A Thin Microstrip Detector For High Spatial Resolution Dosimetry, J Kalliopuska, Ashley Cullen, Michael Lerch, Marco Petasecca, M Santala, Anatoly Rosenfeld

Michael L.F. Lerch

VTT and Aalto University have supplied thin microstrip detector prototypes to CMRP for evaluation for the high spatial resolution dosimetry. The evaluation for dosimetry in microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) was done in a synchrotron microbeam at ESRF, France. Measurements studied a response of a single strip on the synchrotron microbeam in face-on and edge-on modes using CMRP designed and developed readout electronics for a parallel readout of single strips. Measurements were done in a passive mode without bias voltage and the detector was scanned through an array of intensive planar microbeams with the nominal width of 50 μm. The face-on …

Real-Time In Vivo Dosimetry With Mosfet Detectors In Serial Tomotherapy For Head And Neck Cancer Patients, Zhen-Yu Qi, Xiao-Wu Deng, Shao-Min Huang, Almon Shiu, Michael Lerch, Peter Metcalfe, Anatoly Rosenfeld, Tomas Kron

Michael L.F. Lerch

Purpose

A real-time dose verification method using a recently designed metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) dosimetry system was evaluated for quality assurance (QA) of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

Methods and Materials

Following the investigation of key parameters that might affect the accuracy of MOSFET measurements (i.e., source surface distance [SSD], field size, beam incident angles and radiation energy spectrum), the feasibility of this detector in IMRT dose verification was demonstrated by comparison with ion chamber measurements taken in an IMRT QA phantom. Real-time in vivo measurements were also performed with the MOSFET system during serial tomotherapy …

Evaluation Of Pixellated, Back-Sided Planar Photodetectors For High-Resolution Imaging Instrumentation, Mark Safavi-Naeini, Michael Lerch, Marco Petasecca, Giorgio Pignatel, Mark Reinhard, Anatoly Rosenfeld

Michael L.F. Lerch

Future generations of solid-state high-energy gamma imaging cameras require pixellated semiconductor photodetectors with the greatest possible detection efficiency. In this paper, a new type of planar silicon PIN photodiode is presented, in which both p+ and n+ electrodes are located on the same side of the device. The design offers highly efficient optical coupling between the backside and scintillator, providing a fill factor of close to 100%. The performance of this detector is modelled using the ISE-TCAD simulator and its electrical and spectroscopic characteristics are experimentally investigated for the case of direct interaction of ionising radiation and also with an …

Solid State Diode - Ionization Chamber Method For Measuring Out-Of-Field Neutron Dose In Proton Therapy, Amy Ziebell, B Clasie, Andrew Wroe, Reinhard Schulte, Mark Reinhard, Stephen Dowdell, Michael Lerch, Marco Petasecca, V Perevertaylo, Oleg Zinets, Igor Anokhin, Anatoly Rosenfeld

Michael L.F. Lerch

In proton therapy neutrons are introduced to out-of-field regions inside the patient. Clinicians would like to know the absorbed dose being deposited by neutrons separately to that from protons, so as to be able to directly apply their own dose equivalent weighting factors based on their opinion of the biological risk posed by neutrons in this region. The purpose of this study is to investigate a novel approach to experimentally separating the proton and neutron contributions to the absorbed dose in out-of-field regions. The method pairs specially designed silicon PIN diodes with a standard clinical ionization chamber. The sensitivity of …

Evaluation Of Silicon Detectors With Integrated Jfet For Biomedical Applications, Mitra Safavi-Naeini, D. Franklin, Michael L. Lerch, Marco Petasecca, Giorgio U. Pignatel, Mark I. Reinhard, G. F. Dalla Betta, N. Zorzi, Anatoly B. Rosenfeld

Michael L.F. Lerch

This paper presents initial results from electrical, spectroscopic and ion beam induced charge (IBIC) characterisation of a novel silicon PIN detector, featuring an on-chip n -channel JFET and matched feedback capacitor integrated on its p-side (frontside). This structure reduces electronic noise by minimising stray capacitance and enables highly efficient optical coupling between the detector back-side and scintillator, providing a fill factor of close to 100%. The detector is specifically designed for use in high resolution gamma cameras, where a pixellated scintillator crystal is directly coupled to an array of silicon photodetectors. The on-chip JFET is matched with the photodiode capacitance …

In Vivo Verification Of Superficial Dose For Head And Neck Treatments Using Intensity-Modulated Techniques, Zhen-Yu Qi, Xiao-Wu Deng, Shao-Min Huang, Li Zhang, Zhi-Chun He, X. Allen Li, Ian Kwan, Michael Lerch, Dean Cutajar, Peter Metcalfe, Anatoly Rosenfeld

Michael L.F. Lerch

Skin dose is one of the key issues for clinical dosimetry in radiation therapy. Currently planning computer systems are unable to accurately predict dose in the buildup region, leaving ambiguity as to the dose levels actually received by the patient’s skin during radiotherapy. This is one of the prime reasons why in vivo measurements are necessary to estimate the dose in the buildup region. A newly developed metal-oxide-semiconductor-field-effect-transistor (MOSFET) detector designed specifically for dose measurements in rapidly changing dose gradients was introduced for accurate in vivo skin dosimetry. The feasibility of this detector for skin dose measurements was verified in …

Verification Of The Plan Dosimetry For High Dose Rate Brachytherapy Using Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor Detectors, Zhen-Yu Qi, Xiao-Wu Deng, Shao-Min Huang, Jie Lu, Michael Lerch, Dean Cutajar, Anatoly Rosenfeld

Michael L.F. Lerch

The feasibility of a recently designed metal–oxide–semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) dosimetry system for dose verification of high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatment planning was investigated. MOSFET detectors were calibrated with a 0.6 cm3 NE-2571 Farmer-type ionization chamber in water. Key characteristics of the MOSFET detectors, such as the energy dependence, that will affect phantom measurements with HDR 192Ir sources were measured. The MOSFET detector was then applied to verify the dosimetric accuracy of HDR brachytherapy treatments in a custom-made water phantom. Three MOSFET detectors were calibrated independently, with the calibration factors ranging from 0.187 to 0.215 cGy∕mV. A distance …

Monte Carlo Modelling Of A Silicon Strip Detector For Microbeam Radiation Therapy, Ashley Cullen, Michael Lerch, Marco Petasecca, Anatoly Rosenfeld

Michael L.F. Lerch

Microbeam radiation therapy is an experimental technique utilising synchrotron X-rays collimated into a planar array of microbeams. Due to the complex structure of the radiation field and high dose rate, this introduces dosimetric challenges. Current dosimetric methods are inadequate in that they lack either real-time readout, or high spatial resolution. A detector system, consisting of the Silicon Multi-Strip Detector and associated readout system was developed at the University of Wollongong. This system performs online, real-time dosimetry, and is designed for placement upstream of the patient as a transmission detector. The interaction of synchrotron radiation with this detector, both in terms …

Design Of Water Holding Bulkheads For Coal Mines, Verne Mutton, Alexander Remennikov

Alex Remennikov

Water control has been and remains a fundamentally important aspect of underground coal mine design and operation worldwide. Mining in the vicinity of large bodies of water, below a worked out coal seam or under confined aquifer or abandoned water logged workings is always fraught with the possibility of the danger of inundation. Inrush control is now part the Fatal Hazard Protocols which is a risk based process in all operations. In modern Australian underground coal mines, in which panel layouts have been extended and production rates are approaching 10 Mtpa, there is much focus on the control of water …

An Alternative Rail Pad Tester For Measuring Dynamic Properties Of Rail Pads Under Large Preloads, Sakdirat Kaewunruen, Alexander Remennikov

Alex Remennikov

One of the main components in ballasted railway track systems is the rail pad. It is installed between the rail and the sleeper to attenuate wheel/rail interaction loads, preventing the underlying railway sleepers from excessive stress waves. Generally, the dynamic design of tracks relies on the available data, which are mostly focused on the structural condition at a specific toe load. Recent findings show that track irregularities could significantly amplify the loads on railway tracks. This phenomenon gives rise to a concern that the rail pads may experience higher effective preloading than anticipated in the past. On this ground, this …

Sugar As An Optimal Carbon Source For The Enhanced Performance Of Mgb2 Superconductors At High Magnetic Fields, Olga Shcherbakova, Alexey Pan, Jianli Wang, Andrey Shcherbakov, S. Dou, David Wexler, E Babic, M Jercinovic, O Husnjak

Jianli Wang

In this paper we report the results of an extended study of the effect of sugar doping on the structural and electromagnetic properties of MgB2 superconductors. High values of the upper critical field (Bc2) of 36 T and the irreversibility field (Birr) of 27 T have been estimated at the temperature of 5 K in a bulk MgB2 sample with the addition of 10 wt% of sugar. The critical current density (Jc(Ba)) of sugar-doped samples has been significantly improved in the high field region. The value of transport Jc has reached as high as 108 A m-2 at 10 T …

Evaluation Of Silicon Detectors With Integrated Jfet For Biomedical Applications, Mitra Safavi-Naeini, D. Franklin, Michael L. Lerch, Marco Petasecca, Giorgio U. Pignatel, Mark I. Reinhard, G. F. Dalla Betta, N. Zorzi, Anatoly B. Rosenfeld

Anatoly Rozenfeld

This paper presents initial results from electrical, spectroscopic and ion beam induced charge (IBIC) characterisation of a novel silicon PIN detector, featuring an on-chip n -channel JFET and matched feedback capacitor integrated on its p-side (frontside). This structure reduces electronic noise by minimising stray capacitance and enables highly efficient optical coupling between the detector back-side and scintillator, providing a fill factor of close to 100%. The detector is specifically designed for use in high resolution gamma cameras, where a pixellated scintillator crystal is directly coupled to an array of silicon photodetectors. The on-chip JFET is matched with the photodiode capacitance …

Silicon/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composite Paper As A Flexible Anode Material For Lithium Ion Batteries, Shulei Chou, Yue Zhao, Jiazhao Wang, Zhixin Chen, Hua-Kun Liu, S. X. Dou

Shi Xue Dou

Flexible silicon/single-walled carbon nanotube (Si/SWCNT) composite paper was prepared using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method to deposit Si onto SWCNT paper. In the composite, Si mainly shows nanoworm-like morphology. Increasing deposition time results in an increased amount of Si microspheres. Electrochemical measurements show that the capacity of the composite paper is improved by the presence of Si. The Si/SWCNT composite with only 2.2% Si shows a capacity of 163 mA h g−1 at a current density of 25 mA g−1 up to 50 cycles, which is more than 60% improvement of the capacity of pristine CNT paper. The Si …

Nanocoating Of Particles For Optimal Doping And Universal Enhancement Of Current-Carrying Ability In "Organic" Mgb2-Xcx Superconductors, Olga V. Shcherbakova, Alexey V. Pan, S X. Dou, Rashmi Nigam, David Wexler

Shi Xue Dou

The universal approach of liquid mixing has been found to produce “organic” MgB2−xCx superconductors with structural and supercurrent-carrying properties unattainable by other techniques. We show by transmission electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy that these unique properties are enabled through coating of boron particles with a nanolayer of carbon. The subsequent reaction between carbon-encapsulated boron and magnesium results in enhanced carbon content x in the crystal lattice, as determined by x-ray diffraction pattern analysis. Among various carbon-containing compounds investigated, polycarbosilane has been found to be the optimal dopant for MgB2 superconductor, producing the largest critical current density due to …

Increased Superconductivity For Cnt Doped Mgb2 Sintered In 5t Pulsed Magnetic Field, Wenxian Li, Ying Li, Rong Hua Chen, Rong Zeng, Lin Lu, Yun Zhang, Michael Tomsic, Matthew Rindfleisch, S. X. Dou

Shi Xue Dou

The superconductivity of carbon nanotube (CNT) doped MgB2 sintered in pulsed magnetic field (PMF) was investigated with Raman scattering measurements and Raman spectral fit analysis. Although the carbon (C) substitution for the boron (B) is increased for the sample sintered in PMF, its superconductivity is advanced comparing with the sample sintered without PMF. The improved critical transition temperature, Tc, is attributed to the strengthening of the electron-phonon coupling (EPC) in MgB2, as reflected by the broadened E 2g mode in the Raman spectra, because the carbon atoms are homogeneously distributed in the boron planes.

Chemical Modification Of Precursor Solution For Long Length Ybco Coated Conductor Fabrication, Jaimoo Yoo, Young-Kuk Kim, Kookchae Chung, Jaewoong Ko, Gye-Won Hong, Hee-Gyoun Lee, Jin-Heung Kim, Hyungsik Chung, X. L. Wang, S. X. Dou

Shi Xue Dou

Long length MOD processing of YBCO conductor requires high performance precursor solution without degradation during the process. In this study, effect of chemical modification of precursor solution on MOD processing was investigated to meet the requirement. Highly stable YBCO precursor solution was synthesized with PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) and crack-free thick precursor film was successfully fabricated. However, annealed YBCO film shows porous microstructures originated from large HF gas generation from thick films and residual carbon from additives. Reduction of fluorine content is required to densify microstructures. In order to reduce fluorine content, F-free Cu-precursor solution was synthesized. YBCO film with Jc = …

Vortex Dynamics For Low- Type-Ii Superconductors, X B Xu, H Fangohr, Z H Wang, M Gu, S.L. Liu, Dongqi Shi, S. X. Dou

Shi Xue Dou

Based on a model appropriate for “marginally type-II” superconducting system, we study the dynamics of vortices with competing interactions by Langevin dynamics simulation. In addition to pinned states and plastic flow, we find that the moving vortex system forms ordered bubble configurations and stripe structures, depending on pinning strength and driving force. The vortex system exhibits a marked hysteresis in its velocity-force characteristic, which results from a dynamical stripe reordering due to intervortex attraction.

Synthesis And Optimization Of Fluorine-Free Y And Cu Precursor Solution For Mod Processing Of Ybco Coated Conductor, Jaimoo Yoo, Young-Kuk Kim, Kookchae Chung, Jaewoong Ko, Xiaolin Wang, S X. Dou

Shi Xue Dou

MOD solutions for YBCO coated conductors were synthesized with fluorine-free Y & Cu precursor. The fluorine content in the precursor solution was significantly reduced and a fast calcination profile was realized. A crack-free & thick precursor film was successfully obtained just after less than 2 hours of calcination in wet O2 atmosphere. Optimization of the precursor solution with Sm addition enables further improvement of thickness and uniformity of precursor films. The calcinated precursor film was successfully converted to dense and uniform YBCO film after annealing in wet Ar/O2 atmosphere. The measured critical current value was about 273 A/cm-w (Jc ~ …

A Study On The Charge-Discharge Mechanism Of Co3o4 As An Anode For The Li Ion Secondary Battery, Yong-Mook Kang, Min-Sang Song, Jin-Ho Kim, Hyun-Seok Kim, Min-Sik Park, Jai-Young Lee, Hua-Kun Liu, S X. Dou

Shi Xue Dou

Co3O4 has shown acceptable electrochemical properties as the anode material of Li secondary batteries. In detail, its capacity reached about 700 mAh/g, twice as high as graphite, and 93.4% of initial capacity was retained after 100 cycles. EIS (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) analyses revealed that after the 1st cycle, the insertion or extraction of Li ions in Co3O4 can occur homogeneously and reversibly (randless-like behavior, homogeneous mixture: Co + Li2O (in the state of Li insertion), Co3O4 (in the state of Li extraction)). In fact, the coulombic efficiency of Co3O4 was almost 100% except for the 1st cycle. According to P. …

Dependence Of Magnetoelectric Properties On Sintering Temperature For Nano-Sic-Doped Mgb2/Fe Wires Made By Combined In Situ/Ex Situ Process, Wenxian Li, Rong Zeng, Jiazhao Wang, Y Li, S. X. Dou

Shi Xue Dou

Very fine nano-SiC particles (nm) were doped into a MgB2 superconductor. The influence of self-field supercurrent on the high-field performance of the nano-SiC-doped MgB2/Fe wires is discussed based on comparison of the critical current densities of the in situ processed nano-SiCdoped MgB2 wires and those of the nano-SiC-doped MgB2/Fe wires processed by the combination of in situ/ex situ methods.

Chemical Solution Deposition Of Lamno3 Buffer Layers For Coated Conductors, Xuebin Zhu, Hechang Lei, Dongqi Shi, Li Zhang, Lin Wang, Yuping Sun, Wenhai Song, S. X. Dou, Jian Yang, Hongwei Gu

Shi Xue Dou

Chemical solution deposition (CSD) is used to prepare LaMnO3 (LMO) buffer layers on different substrates. The results show that biaxially oriented LMO films can be successfully prepared on single-crystal SrTiO3 (STO) and STO buffered single-crystal LaAlO3 substrates when humid 4%H-2-N-2 annealing atmosphere is used. The orientation of LMO-Ni is (110)-oriented even when the annealing atmosphere is humid 4%H-2-N-2. When CSD-derived STO-Ni is used as a template, biaxially oriented LMO buffer layers with c-axis orientation can be successfully prepared. The results provide an effective route to prepare LMO-based buffer layers using CSD.

Silicon Oil: A Cheap Liquid Additive For Enhancing In-Field Critical Current Density In Mgb2, Xiaolin Wang, Zhenxiang Cheng, S X. Dou

Shi Xue Dou

In this work, the authors report on significant flux pinning enhancement in MgB2 that has been easily obtained using a liquid additive, silicon oil. MgB2 bulk samples with 0 up to 30 wt % silicon oil added were prepared by an in situ reaction. Results showed that the Si and C released from the decomposition of the silicon oil formed Mg2Si and substituted into B sites, respectively. Increasing the amount of the Si oil up to 15 wt % has resulted in the reduction of the lattice parameters, as well as Tc and R(300 K)/R(Tc) values, accompanied by a significant …

Chemical Solution Deposition Of Lamno3-Based Films For Coated Conductors, Dongqi Shi, Xuebin Zhu, Jung Ho Kim, Hechang Lei, Lin Wang, Yuping Sun, Rong Zeng, S. X. Dou

Shi Xue Dou

LaMnO3-based films were prepared using the chemical solution deposition method. It was found that the films on perovskite oxide single crystal substrates are highly (h00)-oriented when the annealing atmosphere is oxygen or air; however, when the substrate is yttrium-stabilized ZrO2, only the La1-NmO3 films are highly (h00)-oriented, and other LaMnO3-based films are (110)-oriented. Under a reducing annealing atmosphere, the atmosphere must be wet in order to create a suitable oxygen partial pressure to crystallize the LaMnO3-based films. After annealing under a wet reducing atmosphere the LaMnO3-based films are directly deposited on Ni tapes; however, when SrTiO3-buffered Ni types are used, …

Flux-Pinning Mechanism In Silicone-Oil Doped Mgb2: Evidence For Charge-Carrier Mean Free Path Fluctuation Pinning, Shaban R. Ghorbani, Xiaolin Wang, S X. Dou, Sung-Ik Lee, Md S. Hossain

Shi Xue Dou

Flux-pinning mechanism of MgB2 doped with 10 wt % silicone-oil sintered at low and high temperatures has been investigated by magnetic measurements. The field dependence of the critical current density, jc(B), was analysed within the collective pinning model. A crossover field, Bsb, from the single vortex to the small vortex bundle-pinning regime was observed. For both types of sintered samples, the temperature dependence of Bsb(T) at low temperature is in good agreement with the δl pinning mechanism, i.e., pinning associated with charge-carrier mean free path fluctuation. At temperatures close to the critical temperature, however, there is evidence for δTc pinning, …

Micro-Patterned Surface Modification Of Poly(Dimethylsiloxane) (Pdms) Substrates For Tissue Engineering, Brad Winton, Mihail Ionescu, Chris Lukey, Mark Wilson, Ivan Nevirkovets, S. Dou

Mark R Wilson

Low energy metal ion implantation of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) films simultaneously allows for the creation of complex and tuneable topographical features at the surface, while also enhancing the biocompatibility of the surface for biological applications. PDMS thick films were implanted with Mg, Ta, and Fe at constant dose. Cells cultured on all of the modified surfaces enjoyed an increase in viable cell count of over 440% when compared to the pristine surface, with the Fe implanted surface showing a 600% increase with a substantial increase in surface energy, which was reflected by the increased contact angle. This was achieved without any …

Carbon Nanotube Network Modified Carbon Fibre Paper For Li Ion Batteries, Jun Chen, Jiazhao Wang, Andrew I. Minett, Yong Liu, Carol M. Lynam, Hua-Kun Liu, G G. Wallace

Gordon Wallace

Here we report on the direct deposition of large quantities of highly porous carbon nanotube networks onto a carbon fibre paper support; subsequently utilised as the anode in a Li-ion battery application showing improved long-term performance and chemical stability with a significant fully reversible capacity of 546mAh/g.

Novel Electrode Substrates For Rechargeable Lithium/Polypyrrole Batteries, Jiazhao Wang, Chee O. Too, Dezhi Zhou, G G. Wallace

Gordon Wallace

A lightweight and inexpensive stainless steel mesh has been investigated as an electrode substrate material for Li/polypyrrole rechargeable battery. The effects of substrate materials on surface morphology of films, charge–discharge capacity and coulombic efficiency are discussed in detail. The results show that the capacity of the cell with stainless steel mesh is about 10% lower than the cell using platinum mesh, but it is much lighter and cheaper than that of platinum mesh, therefore, it is a promising substrate material for Li/polymer batteries.