Event Description
Title: Simulating a 3D Detector Array for Proton Therapy
Physics Major: Wendy Harris
Abstract: The main objective when performing radiation therapy on malignant tumors is to supply the maximum dosage of radiation to the targeted area while keeping the surrounding tissues and organs healthy. An advantage to treating with proton therapy, rather than the usual X-ray radiation therapy, is that it can irradiate a targeted area with greater precision, while delivering minimal radi- ation to the surrounding tissues and organs. Our goal is to develop a simulated 3D detector array to be used in proton therapy beams by using Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation software. The 3D detector will be made up of many stacked layers of 2D detectors so that a 3D image can be created with not only very good position resolution, but also fine time resolution. The preliminary goal is to accurately simulate a 2D layer, such that the measured dose will appear as if it were in water or tissue. An analysis of how material density and atomic number can be chosen to yield a detector design that will more faithfully mimic patient tissue is presented below.
Advisor: Dr. Derek Dolney, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania
Co-Advisor: Dr. Luis Cruz Cruz, Department of Physics, Drexel University |
