Validation of Monte Carlo simulation of 6 MV photon beam produced by Varian Clinac 2100 linear accelerator using BEAMnrc code and DOSXYZnrc code

The Monte Carlo model for the photon-beam output from the Varian Clinac 2100 linear accelerator was validated to compare the calculated to measured PDD and beam dose profiles The Monte Carlo calculation method is considered to be the most accurate method for dose calculation in radiotherapy. The objective of this study is to build a Monte Carlo geometry of Varian Clinac 2100 linear accelerator as realistically as possible. The Monte Carlo codes used in this work were the BEAMnrc code to simulate the photons beam and the DOSXYZnrc code to examinate the absorbed dose in the water phantom. We have calculated percentage depth dose (PDD) and beam profiles of the 6 MV photon beam for the 6 × 6 cm², 10 × 10 cm² and 15 × 15 cm² field sizes. We have used the gamma index technique for the quantitative evaluation to compare the measured and calculated distributions. Good agreement was found between calculated PDD and beam profile compared to measured data. The comparison was evaluated using the gamma index method and the criterions were 3% for dose difference and 3 mm for distance to agreement. The gamma index acceptance rate was more than 97% of both distribution comparisons PDDs and dose profiles and our results were more developed and accurate. The Varian Clinac 2100 linear accelerator was accurately modeled using Monte Carlo codes: BEAMnrc and DOSXYZnrc codes package.     

基于蒙特卡罗方法的XHA600D医用电子直线加速器的入射电子束参数研究

使用蒙特卡罗方法研究入射电子束参数对XHA600D医用电子直线加速器产生的剂量分布的影响,并确定优化的入射电子束参数。根据厂商提供的XHA600D加速器治疗头的几何、材料参数,使用蒙特卡罗程序EGSnrc对不同的入射电子束参数进行模拟并记录其在水模体中产生的剂量分布,将模拟结果与测量结果进行比较。模拟的入射电子束参数包括平均能量、径向强度分布、角度展宽和能量展宽;实验测量数据包括4 cm×4 cm、10 cm×10 cm、30 cm×30 cm射野条件下的百分深度剂量与离轴剂量。结果表明当入射电子束的平均能量为6 MeV、径向强度的半高宽(Full Width at Half Maximum, FWHM)为0.25 cm、角度展宽为0.15°时,模拟结果和测量结果吻合非常好。这些参数可以作为建立适用于XHA600D加速器的TPS(Treatment Planning System)剂量计算模型的基础参数。     

神光-Ⅲ原型装置两极驱动的均匀照明研究

梳理了两极驱动的研究思路和神光-Ⅲ原型装置两极驱动的研究内容;提出了针对靶丸表面均匀照明设计的光束近似原则,基于该原则建立了"逐次递进"的方法,优化设计了不同条件下靶丸表面均匀照明的激光条件,并对设计方法进行了数值模拟分析,设计内容在神光一III原型装置上进行了初步的实验验证,结果进一步支持了靶丸表面均匀照明设计的合理性,研究结果为后续的实验设计和理论研究提供了指导方向。     

影响X光源特性的参数研究

针对高能电子束撞击重金属靶产生轫致辐射光子, 利用蒙特卡罗方法详细研究了电子束半径与发射度以及靶的厚度对X光源特性的影响. 结果表明：电子束半径与发射度不仅是影响照射量的主要因素, 也是造成照射量分布不均匀的主要原因; 给定电子束, 存在一个靶厚度使得靶前1 m处的照射量最大. 因此, 在X射线成像系统的设计和模拟过程中, 应综合考虑电子束半径与发射度和靶厚的影响.     

Benchmark measurements and simulations of dose perturbations due to metallic spheres in proton beams

Monte Carlo simulations are increasingly used for dose calculations in proton therapy due to its inherent accuracy. However, dosimetric deviations have been found using Monte Carlo code when high density materials are present in the proton beamline. The purpose of this work was to quantify the magnitude of dose perturbation caused by metal objects. We did this by comparing measurements and Monte Carlo predictions of dose perturbations caused by the presence of small metal spheres in several clinical proton therapy beams as functions of proton beam range and drift space. Monte Carlo codes MCNPX, GEANT4 and Fast Dose Calculator (FDC) were used. Generally good agreement was found between measurements and Monte Carlo predictions, with the average difference within 5% and maximum difference within 17%. The modification of multiple Coulomb scattering model in MCNPX code yielded improvement in accuracy and provided the best overall agreement with measurements. Our results confirmed that Monte Carlo codes are well suited for predicting multiple Coulomb scattering in proton therapy beams when short drift spaces are involved.     

A study on beam profile of an industrial electron accelerator

Experimental evaluation of electron beam profile of a recently upgraded industrial electron accelerator has been carried out to study characteristics of the beam required for the irradiation of various industrial products. Calibrated cellulose triacetate (CTA) film strip dosimeters were used for the measurement of dose profile along and transverse to the scanning direction at different distances in air under the beam extraction window in dynamic (conveyor) and static mode of operation. Two-dimensional dose distribution mapping under the beam has also been measured by using a large number of CTA strip dosimeters. The obtained result shows that the electron beam emerging out from scanning horn has a good uniformity along the scanning direction within 90% of the average maximum dose. Also, the paper reports depth dose distribution in unit density material under the 4.5?MeV beam. Using this study, area affecting dose to the product is controlled within the limit for the irradiation.     

Benchmarking and validation of a Geant4–SHADOW Monte Carlo simulation for dose calculations in microbeam radiation therapy

Microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) is a synchrotron‐based radiotherapy modality that uses high‐intensity beams of spatially fractionated radiation to treat tumours. The rapid evolution of MRT towards clinical trials demands accurate treatment planning systems (TPS), as well as independent tools for the verification of TPS calculated dose distributions in order to ensure patient safety and treatment efficacy. Monte Carlo computer simulation represents the most accurate method of dose calculation in patient geometries and is best suited for the purpose of TPS verification. A Monte Carlo model of the ID17 biomedical beamline at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility has been developed, including recent modifications, using the Geant4 Monte Carlo toolkit interfaced with the SHADOW X‐ray optics and ray‐tracing libraries. The code was benchmarked by simulating dose profiles in water‐equivalent phantoms subject to irradiation by broad‐beam (without spatial fractionation) and microbeam (with spatial fractionation) fields, and comparing against those calculated with a previous model of the beamline developed using the PENELOPE code. Validation against additional experimental dose profiles in water‐equivalent phantoms subject to broad‐beam irradiation was also performed. Good agreement between codes was observed, with the exception of out‐of‐field doses and toward the field edge for larger field sizes. Microbeam results showed good agreement between both codes and experimental results within uncertainties. Results of the experimental validation showed agreement for different beamline configurations. The asymmetry in the out‐of‐field dose profiles due to polarization effects was also investigated, yielding important information for the treatment planning process in MRT. This work represents an important step in the development of a Monte Carlo‐based independent verification tool for treatment planning in MRT.     

Patterned nucleation control in vacuum deposition of organic molecules

We report a generally applicable method to pattern organic molecules on mesoscopic scales. In our method, organic molecular beam deposition was conducted on substrate surfaces prepatterned with materials to which the organic molecules have larger binding energies in comparison to the substrate. Fully uniform nucleation control at these predefined locations can be achieved by an appropriate selection of the growth parameters including temperature and deposition rate. The physical mechanisms involved are studied by Monte Carlo simulations and stand in good agreement with the experimental findings.     

CAFe DUMP前刮束器的设计研制

位于中国科学院近代物理研究所的超导直线加速器样机CAFe是一台质子超导直线加速器实验样机,围绕该装置的束流实验研究将为下一步设计研究加速器驱动次临界洁净核能系统(ADS)专用的超导直线加速器打下基础并提供经验。为了实现CAFe的10 mA束流指标,需要设计研制专门的束流收集器(DUMP)和对应的刮束器。本工作就CAFe DUMP前刮束器的研制进行了系统的设计和计算工作。刮束器面向束流侧的材料采用Al6063,确保束流轰击后的剩余放射性活度处于安全范围。基于蒙特卡罗粒子输运模拟,开展放射性核素及剩余剂量分析。结果表明,退役时刮束器外围剂量为可接受的百微希沃特每小时量级。通过ANSYS的热分析,计算了不同束流情况下刮束器的温度分布及温度变化,研究了刮束器在正常运行时移除热量的能力和在异常状况下应急保护的能力。计算结果表明,刮束器可以满足安全移除强流高功率束流束晕的设计需求。在CAFe高功率束流实验中,刮束器及DUMP运行正常,束流监测指标与设计一致,证明研制的刮束器实现了安全移除束晕、监测束流参数和保护DUMP的功能。     

准单能中子单粒子效应研究现状

对国际上用于单粒子效应(SEE)研究的准单能中子源进行了相关调研,对产生准单能中子源的7Li(p, n)7Be核反应、装置布局以及表征中子场性质的中子注量率、中子能谱、中子束流轮廓及其均匀性、热中子本底等参数的理论计算及实验测量进行了系统的介绍。进行准单能中子SEE实验要求中子源有较高的中子注量率水平、较大的束流轮廓、较好的束流均匀性以及较低的热中子本底,并且能测量出精确的中子能谱。对准单能中子SEE实验过程以及三种中子SEE截面的尾部修正方法进行了介绍。     

Direct simulation Monte Carlo study of metal evaporation with collimator in e-beam physical vapor deposition

The flow properties and substrate deposition rate profile, which are the important parameters in electron beam physical vapor deposition, are investigated computationally in this article.Collimators are used to achieve the desired vapor beam and deposition rate profile in some applications.This increases the difficulty measuring boundary conditions and the size of the liquid metal pool inside the collimators.It is accordingly hard to obtain accurate results from numerical calculations.In this article, two-dimensional direct simulation Monte Carlo(DSMC) codes are executed to quantify the influence of uncertainties of boundary conditions and pool sizes.Then, three-dimensional DSMC simulations are established to simulate cerium and neodymium evaporation with the collimator.Experimental and computational results of substrate deposition rate profile are in excellent agreement at various evaporation rates and substrate heights.The results show that the DSMC method can assist in metal evaporation with a collimator.     

Transport and Energy Deposition of hot Electrons through the Shock Ignition pre Compressed Target

Shock ignition as an alternative scheme of the laser fusion has the potential of achieving efficient implosion. However, hot electrons produced in result of ignitor‐corona interaction may penetrate deep into the fuel making the compression less effective. Transport and energy deposition of hot electron beam into the dense pre compressed of HiPER target by means of Monte Carlo approach are discussed considering the influence of real density and electron beam characteristics. The target parameters before igniting the hot spot have been extracted from a fluid code and used as the initial profile for Monte Carlo simulations. In comparison with simplified step like density profile, electrons penetrate slightly deeper in the case of real shaped density profile. In addition, deposition zone of a broad spectrum electron beam is wider while, monoenergetic electrons depose their energy locally resulting more maximum energy deposition value. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Laser beam widening mechanisms in turbid media

We examine theoretically and experimentally the transverse intensity profile of a laser beam as it traverses through a turbid medium. By increasing the concentrations of milk in an aqueous solution we examine the transition from the weakly scattering to the diffusive regime. The experimental data of the transverse beam profiles for various scattering strengths are obtained in a non-contact geometry from digital images of the exit surface of the medium. The intensity distributions are compared with theoretical data obtained from Monte Carlo simulations.     

Exploring the Influence of a Focusing and Gaussian Profile Electron Beam in SEM Imaging through Monte Carlo Simulation

Gaussian profile is conventionally assumed as the probe shape of the incident electron beam in theoretical analysis of dimensional measurements by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). However, it is not suitable for samples with small and tiny structure. In this paper, a model of a focusing electron beam with finite width due to aberration was used in simulating the SEM image of gold particles/balls on a carbon substrate. An effective electron beam shape (EEBS) was displayed and was found that it deviates significantly from the Gaussian profile. The difference between images simulated by Monte Carlo method with ideal electron incident beam, electron beam focusing model and with ideal beam incident then convoluted by Gaussian profile were discussed in detail. Furthermore, the influence of external electric field effect: full extraction and no extraction for imaging were studied.     

Study on CYCIAE-100 radiation field and residual radioactivity

The accelerators should be properly designed to make the radiation field produced by beam loss satisfy the dose limits. The radiation field for high intensity H- cyclotron includes prompt radiation and residual radiation field. The induced radioactivity in accelerator components is the dominant source of occupational radiation exposure if the accelerator is well shielded. The source of radiation is the beam loss when cyclotron is operating. In this paper, the radiation field for CYCIAE-100 is calculated using Monte Carlo method and the radioactive contamination near stripping foil is studied. A method to reduce the dose equivalent rate of maintenance staff is also given.     

Optimization of thickness and uniformity of photonic structures fabricated by interference lithography

We study the influence of the absorption of materials used for holographic fabrication of photonic structures on their uniformity along the film thickness. We demonstrate theoretically and experimentally a strong dependence of structure thickness and uniformity on the exposure dose of the interference pattern. A novel technique is proposed to overcome the absorption effect and to fabricate thick two- and three-dimensional structures, which are uniform throughout the film thickness. It consists of exposing once again the sample by an additional and independent counterpropagating uniform beam, which allows to compensate the diminution of the light intensity of interference pattern. These results are very useful for the fabrication of high quality polymer-based photonic crystals.     

HIRFL装置主动式点扫描束流配送系统的Monte Carlo模拟优化

为获得适用于HIRFL 装置主动式点扫描束流配送系统配送的碳离子束,利用Monte Carlo (MC) 工具SHIELD-HIT12A 研究了配送距离和微型脊形过滤器结构周期对治疗室等中心处束斑半高宽(FWHM) 和剂量平坦度的影响。模拟研究发现:束流配送距离越短,束斑FWHM越小,但剂量平坦度越差;微型脊形滤器结构周期是影响剂量平坦度的关键因素,周期越小,剂量平坦度越好。通过模拟研究得出:在HIRFL装置重离子治疗终端将真空窗设置在距等中心距离小于125 cm 时,采用结构周期为2 mm微型脊形过滤器可以满足主动式点扫描照射对束斑FWHM和剂量平坦度的要求。To obtain carbon ion beams suitable for the active spot scanning beam delivery system at the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL), the Monte Carlo program SHIELD-HIT12A was used to study the influences of beam delivery distance and structure period of mini ridge filter on full width at the half maximum (FWHM) of beam spot and dose flatness at the isocenter of the treatment room. The present simulation study shows that the shorter was the beam delivery distance, the smaller was the FWHM of beam spot, but the worse was the dose flatness. The structure period of mini ridge filter was a key factor to account for the dose flatness at the isocenter. The smaller was the structure period of mini ridge filter, the better was the dose flatness. Based on the simulation results, we conclude that 2 mm structure period for a mini ridge filter statisfies the requirements on the FWHM of beam spot and dose flatness at the isocenter for the active spot scanning beam delivery system at HIRFL when the distance between the vacuum window and the isocenter is set shorter than 125 cm in the nozzle.     

碳离子束射程快速验证方法的蒙特卡罗模拟研究

可通过楔形装置把离子束(质子和重离子)纵向上的的深度剂量分布转换成横向上的剂量分布，进行离子束射程的快速测量及验证。本工作通过基于GEANT4内核的GATE蒙特卡罗模拟平台，模拟计算了不同能量碳离子束在用于制作楔形装置的铜、铝、铁和有机玻璃等材料中的深度剂量分布，得到不同能量碳离子束在不同材料中Bragg峰位所处深度与能量之间的关系；模拟计算了不同能量碳离子束穿越单楔板、双楔板和大小组合楔板等楔形装置后横向上的剂量分布，得到了横向剂量峰值出现位置与碳离子束射程之间的关系。本文蒙特卡罗模拟研究为进一步开发重离子治疗当中的射程快速验证方法与设备奠定了坚实的基础。     

栅扫描重离子束治癌束流配送系统对运动靶区的适形放疗(Ⅱ)可行性实验

在栅扫描束流配送系统下, 进行了重离子束对运动靶体进行适形照射的可行性实验研究. 利用实时修正束流扫描参数的方法, 使得束流追踪靶体在横向上的运动; 在纵向上利用一个机械驱动的束流降能装置(称深度扫描器)迅速调节束流 能量, 使得重离子束高剂量的Bragg峰区落在运动靶体需治疗的断层之上. 实验结果表明: 栅扫描器主动补偿靶体横向运动及深度扫描器补偿靶体纵向运动是可行的.     

Characterisation of a megavoltage linear accelerator Bremsstrahlung by means of Monte Carlo simulations

This work presents a method for megavoltage X‐ray Bremsstrahlung assessment by means of Monte Carlo (MC) (PENELOPE) simulations. The proposed method provides suitable spectrum characterisation by means of a few parameters, namely the acceleration potential and incident angle of electron beam on the anode. The obtained spectra have been used as incident beam for in‐depth dose distribution determination with the aim of performing further comparisons with experimental data. This comparison procedure has been employed for Bremsstrahlung assessment optimisation. Once the Linac Bremsstrahlung is well established, it may be used as incident beam for further dosimetric purposes, such as spatial dose distribution calculations. The whole process has been applied for the characterisation of the megavoltage Bremsstrahlung from a typical Linac, namely the 10 MV Varian Clinac 18. The obtained results for in‐depth dose distributions, when compared with experimental measurements, show an overall good agreement, which may suggest the feasibility of the method. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.