X-ray-Sensitive Doped CaF-Based MRI Contrast Agents for Local Radiation Dose Measurement.

Ionizing radiation has become widely used in medicine, with application in diagnostic techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) and radiation therapy (RT), where X-rays are used to diagnose and treat tumors. The X-rays used in CT and, in particular, in RT can have harmful side effects; hence, an accurate determination of the delivered radiation dose is of utmost importance to minimize any damage to healthy tissues. For this, medical specialists mostly rely on theoretical predictions of the delivered dose or external measurements of the dose.