Optimization of beamline diameter in spot scanning proton therapy for minimization of secondary particles using finite element method

Veiskarami, ‎Amir; Sadeghi, ‎Mahdi; Sardari, ‎Dariush; Malekie, ‎Shahryar

doi:10.22034/rpe.2020.89327

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

¹ Department of Medical Radiation Engineering‎, ‎Science and Research Branch‎, ‎Islamic Azad University‎, ‎Tehran‎, ‎Iran

² Iran University of Medical Sciences‎, ‎Medical Physics Department‎, ‎Tehran‎, ‎Iran

³ Radiation Application Research School‎, ‎Nuclear Science & Technology Research Institute‎, ‎PO Box 31485-498‎, ‎Karaj‎, ‎Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/rpe.2020.89327

Abstract

‎Collision of protons with background gas and beamline wall in proton therapy causes the creation of secondary particles‎, ‎e.g. neutrons‎, ‎which results in more difficulties in curing the tumors‎. ‎In the present simulation-based study‎, ‎the optimum diameter of proton beamline was determined to minimize the production of secondary particles in the presence of electric field with the magnitude of 50 kV/m‎, ‎perpendicular equal magnetic fields of 0.7 T‎, ‎and background gas of argon under Bounce boundary conditions via finite element method‎. ‎The results showed that the optimum diameter of the beamline for minimization of the secondary particles in the spot scanning proton therapy in the aforementioned conditions was 7 mm‎. ‎Also‎, ‎the values of drift velocities of protons were plotted in different time steps of 10 ns to 50 ns for the optimized size of the beamline‎. ‎Due to few interactions of forwarding particles with background gas‎, ‎the results showed that the forwarding particles in the propagation direction have greater velocities than those of rear particles‎. ‎The results can be used in spot scanning proton therapy for curing the localized cancers‎.

Highlights

Spot scanning proton therapy was simulated via the finite element method‎.
‎The optimum diameter of proton beamline was determined to minimize the production of secondary particles‎.
The forward particles exhibited greater velocities than those of rear particles‎.

Keywords

20.1001.1.26456397.2020.1.3.2.9

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Radiation Physics and Engineering

Optimization of beamline diameter in spot scanning proton therapy for minimization of secondary particles using finite element method

References

References

Volume 1, Issue 3
August 2020
Pages 11-16

Optimization of beamline diameter in spot scanning proton therapy for minimization of secondary particles using finite element method

References

References

Volume 1, Issue 3August 2020Pages 11-16

Volume 1, Issue 3
August 2020
Pages 11-16