Small field dosimetry with organic materials and Electron Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy

• Grant number: 14/02494-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: October 01, 2014
• End date: September 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics
• Principal Investigator: Oswaldo Baffa Filho
• Grantee: Amanda Burg Rech
• Supervisor: François Trompier
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), France
• Associated to the scholarship: 13/03258-9 - Study and characterization of organic materials for small field dosimetry with electronic magnetic resonance, BP.DR

Abstract

Recent developments in radiotherapy require the improvement of the dosimetric techniques to suit appropriately, as for the use of small fields and/or of high doses of radiation. Among the techniques used in dosimetry there is the electron magnetic resonance (EMR) spectroscopy in conjunction with radiation sensitive materials. An EMR spectrometer can detect unpaired electrons, or free radicals, which may be originated from the interaction of ionizing radiation with matter. Among the materials used are 2-methyl-alanine and lithium formate, showing superior sensitivity than the widely recognized alanine dosimeter and being more efficient for low doses dosimetry or small dosimeter dimensions and high doses dosimetry. To complement, computer codes are capable of simulating EMR spectra and physical interactions in complex systems, facilitating the verification and comparison between theoretical and experimental results. (AU)