Improved simultaneous LET and dose measurements in proton therapy

The objective of this study was to improve the precision of linear energy transfer (LET) measurements using Al2O3:C optically stimulated luminescence detectors (OSLDs) in proton beams, and, with that, improve OSL dosimetry by correcting the readout for the LET-dependent ionization quenching. The OSLDs were irradiated in spot-scanning proton beams at different doses for fluence-averaged LET values in the (0.4-6.5) keV mu m(-1) range (in water). A commercial automated OSL reader with a built-in beta source was used for the readouts, which enabled a reference irradiation and readout of each OSLD to establish individual corrections. Pulsed OSL was used to separately measure the blue (F-center) and UV (F+-center) emission bands of Al2O3:C and the ratio between them (UV/blue signal) was used for the LET measurements. The average deviation between the simulated and measured LET values along the central beam axis amounts to 5.5% if both the dose and LET are varied, but the average deviation is reduced to 3.5% if the OSLDs are irradiated with the same doses. With the measurement procedure and automated equipment used here, the variation in the signals used for LET estimates and quenching-corrections is reduced from 0.9 to 0.6%. The quenching-corrected OSLD doses are in agreement with ionization chamber measurements within the uncertainties. The automated OSLD corrections are demonstrated to improve the LET estimates and the ionization quenching-corrections in proton dosimetry for a clinically relevant energy range up to 230 MeV. It is also for the first time demonstrated how the LET can be estimated for different doses.

Automated summary

The objective of this study was to improve the precision of LET measurements in proton beams using Al2O3:C OSLDs and correct for LET-dependent ionization quenching. The study found that automated corrections improved LET estimates and ionization quenching-corrections in proton dosimetry, and demonstrated for the first time how LET can be estimated for different doses.