A semi-analytical procedure to determine the ion recombination correction factor in high dose-per-pulse beams.

Background: The conventional theories and methods of determining the ion recombination correction factor, such as Boag theory and the related two voltage method and Jaffé plot extrapolation, do not seem to yield accurate results in FLASH /high dose per pulse (DPP) beams ( 10 mGy DPP). This is due to the presence of a large free electron fraction that distorts the electric field inside the chamber sensitive volume. To understand the influence of these effects on the ion recombination correction factor and to develop new expressions for it, it is necessary to re-visit the underlying physics.

Feasibility of operating a millimeter-scale graphite calorimeter for absolute dosimetry of small-field photon beams in the clinic.

Purpose: To characterize and build a cylindrically layered graphite calorimeter the size of a thimble ionization chamber for absolute dosimetry of small fields. This detector has been designed in a familiar probe format to facilitate integration into the clinical workflow. The feasibility of operating this absorbed dose calorimeter in quasi-adiabatic mode is assessed for high-energy accelerator-based photon beams.

Monte Carlo and water calorimetric determination of kilovoltage beam radiotherapy ionization chamber correction factors.

The in-phantom calibration method for radiotherapy kilovoltage x-ray beams requires ionization chamber correction factors. The overall ionization chamber correction factor accounts for changes in the chamber response due to the displacement of water by the chamber cavity and wall, the presence of the stem and the change in incident photon energy and angular distribution in the phantom to that in air. A waterproof sheath, if required, is accounted for in a sheath correction factor.

Absolute dosimetry of a 1.5 T MR-guided accelerator-based high-energy photon beam in water and solid phantoms using Aerrow.

Purpose: In this work, the fabrication, operation, and evaluation of a probe-format graphite calorimeter - herein referred to as Aerrow - as an absolute clinical dosimeter of high-energy photon beams while in the presence of a B = 1.5 T magnetic field is described. Comparable to a cylindrical ionization chamber (IC) in terms of utility and usability, Aerrow has been developed for the purpose of accurately measuring absorbed dose to water in the clinic with a minimum disruption to the existing clinical workflow.

Density effects of silica aerogel insulation on the performance of a graphite probe calorimeter.

Purpose: With the introduction of a novel graphite probe calorimeter, called the Aerrow, various thermal insulating materials are being explored to further improve the device. Silica-based aerogels are proving to be an optimal material due to their low densities, small thermal conductivities, rigidity, and machinability. The aim of this work is to determine how various silica aerogel densities affect the Aerrow's performance.

Aerrow: A probe-format graphite calorimeter for absolute dosimetry of high-energy photon beams in the clinical environment.

Purpose: In this work, the design, operation, initial experimental evaluation, and characterization of a small-scale graphite calorimeter probe - herein referred to as the Aerrow - developed for routine use in the clinical environment, are described. Similar in size and shape to a Farmer type cylindrical ionization chamber, the Aerrow represents the first translation of calorimetry intended for direct use by clinical physicists in the radiotherapy clinic.

Methods: Based on a numerically optimized design obtained in previous work, a functioning Aerrow prototype capable of two independent modes of operation (quasi-adiabatic and isothermal) was constructed in-house.