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Proton computed tomography using a 1D silicon diode array
Author(s) -
Wang Peng,
Cammin Jochen,
Bisello Francesca,
Solberg Timothy D.,
McDonough James E.,
Zhu Timothy C.,
Menichelli David,
Teo BoonKeng Kevin
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 2473-4209
pISSN - 0094-2405
DOI - 10.1118/1.4963221
Subject(s) - imaging phantom , materials science , image resolution , proton , collimated light , proton therapy , optics , tomography , diode , detector , beam (structure) , silicon , physics , optoelectronics , nuclear physics , laser
Purpose Proton radiography (PR) and proton computed tomography (PCT) can be used to measure proton stopping power directly. However, practical and cost effective proton imaging detectors are not widely available. In this study, the authors investigated the feasibility of proton imaging using a silicon diode array. Methods A one‐dimensional silicon diode detector array (1DSDA) was aligned with the central axis (CAX) of the proton beam. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) slabs were used to find the correspondence between the water equivalent thickness (WET) and 1DSDA channel number. Two‐dimensional proton radiographs were obtained by translation and rotation of a phantom relative to CAX while the proton nozzle and 1DSDA were kept stationary. A PCT image of one slice of the phantom was reconstructed using filtered backprojection. Results PR and PCT images of the PMMA cube were successfully acquired using the 1DSDA. The WET of the phantom was measured using PR data. The resolution and maximum error in WET measurement are 2.0 and 1.5 mm, respectively. Structures down to 2.0 mm in size could be resolved completely. Reconstruction of a PCT image showed very good agreement with simulation. Limitations in spatial resolution are attributed to limited spatial sampling, beam collimation, and proton scatter. Conclusions The results demonstrate the feasibility of using silicon diode arrays for proton imaging. Such a device can potentially offer fast image acquisition and high spatial and energy resolution for PR and PCT.