arXiv subjects

Veronica Ferrero

Publications and source records attributed to Veronica Ferrero.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Measurement of 80-200 MeV/n $^{16}$O nuclear cross-section on Carbon and Polyethylene targets with the nuclear emulsion detector of the FOOT experiment

Accurate knowledge of nuclear fragmentation cross-sections is essential for optimizing charged particle therapy. In this study, conducted within the framework of the FOOT (FragmentatiOn Of Target) experiment, we present the first measurements with a large angular acceptance of total charge-changing cross-section and the cross-section for the production of fragments (production cross-section) for $^{16}$O ions interacting with Carbon (C) and Polyethylene (C$_2$H$_4$) targets in the kinetic energy range of 80 to 200 MeV/nucleon. Measurements were performed using the Emulsion Cloud Chamber (ECC) technique, which combines high spatial resolution and angular acceptance, up to 45$^\circ$. The results are compared with Monte Carlo model predictions. Moreover, the total charge-changing and fragment production cross-sections for $^{16}$O on Hydrogen in the same energy range are derived.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2026

Prompt Gamma Timing for range verification with carbon ion irradiation: first experimental measurements and comparison with Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations

Prompt Gamma Timing (PGT) is a promising technique for in vivo range verification in particle therapy, exploiting the time-of-flight between primary particles and prompt gamma rays emitted by nuclear interactions. PGT distribution is highly sensitive to beam energy and target density, which, under controlled detector positioning, enables real-time monitoring of particle range, detection of morphological changes, and support for adaptive treatment strategies. This study investigates for the first time the application of PGT in carbon ion therapy. Measurements were performed using a dedicated detection system composed of a silicon strip sensor for primary ion timing and a LaBr3(Ce) read out by a SiPM for secondary radiation. Carbon ion beams with energies of 166.41, 268.86, and 398.84 MeV/u irradiated a homogeneous 30.0 cm PMMA target at CNAO. The secondary radiation detector was positioned at four off-beam positions to assess the robustness of the PGT technique. Simulations based on Geant4 were conducted for all configurations to evaluate agreement and predictive capability. A bin-by-bin comparison of experimental and simulated PGT intensities demonstrated strong agreement within the 95% confidence interval, with no incompatible bins at 166.41 MeV/u, at most 1% at 268.86 MeV/u, and up to 8% at 398.84 MeV/u, depending on detector position. Photons were identified as the dominant contribution to the detected signals, particularly for detector positions upstream with respect to the primary particle beam, minimizing signal contamination from neutrons and charged fragments. The validated experimental-simulation framework confirms the capability of the proposed PGT system to resolve energy-dependent differences and highlights its potential for detecting clinically relevant changes in the particle beam range, supporting further development toward real-time monitoring in carbon ion therapy.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2025

Stopping power monitoring during proton therapy by means of prompt gamma timing: first experimental results with a homogeneous phantom

Proton therapy's full potential is limited by uncertainties that prevent optimal dose distribution. Monitoring techniques can reduce these uncertainties and enable adaptive treatment planning. Spatiotemporal Emission Reconstruction from Prompt-Gamma Timing (SER-PGT) is a promising method that provides insights into both particle range and stopping power, whose calculation would normally require knowledge about patient tissue properties that cannot be directly measured. We present the first experimental results using a 226.9 MeV synchrotron-proton beam impinging on a homogeneous phantom at a sub-clinical intensity (2 - 4 x 10^7 pps). SER-PGT uses data from a multi-detector setup: a thin and segmented Low Gain Avalanche Diode for proton detection and Lanthanum Bromide-based crystals for photon detection. The estimated stopping power profile showed an 8% +- 3% average error compared to NIST PSTAR values, and 2% +- 2% deviation relative to water at 100 MeV. Range assessment in a phantom with a 4 cm air-gap successfully identified the range shift with a 3 mm standard deviation. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using SER-PGT to recover both range and stopping power information through particle kinematics and PGT measurements.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2025

Analytical Model of Prompt Gamma Timing for Spatiotemporal Emission Reconstruction in Particle Therapy

Particle therapy relies on up-to-date knowledge of the stopping power of the patient tissues to deliver the prescribed dose distribution. The stopping power describes the average particle motion, which is encoded in the distribution of prompt-gamma photon emissions in time and space. We reconstruct the spatiotemporal emission distribution from multi-detector Prompt Gamma Timing (PGT) data. Solving this inverse problem relies on an accurate model of the prompt-gamma transport and detection including explicitly the dependencies on the time of emission and detection. Our previous work relied on Monte-Carlo (MC) based system models. The tradeoff between computational resources and statistical noise in the system model prohibits studies of new detector arrangements and beam scanning scenarios. Therefore, we propose here an analytical system model to speed up recalculations for new beam positions and to avoid statistical noise in the model. We evaluated the model for the MERLINO multi-detector-PGT prototype. Comparisons between the analytical model and a MC-based reference showed excellent agreement for single-detector setups. When several detectors were placed close together and partially obstructed each other, intercrystal scatter led to differences of up to 10 % between the analytical and MC-based model. Nevertheless, when evaluating the performance in reconstructing the spatiotemporal distribution and estimating the stopping power, no significant difference between the models was observed. Hence, the procedure proved robust against the small inaccuracies of the model for the tested scenarios. The model calculation time was reduced by 1500 times, now enabling many new studies for PGT-based systems.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2024

Characterization of a modified clinical linear accelerator for ultra-high dose rate electron beam delivery

Irradiations at Ultra High Dose Rate (UHDR) regimes, exceeding 40 Gy/s in single fractions lasting less than 200 ms, have shown an equivalent antitumor effect compared to conventional radio-therapy with reduced harm to normal tissues. This work details the hardware and software modi-fications implemented to deliver 10 MeV UHDR electron beams with a Linear Accelerator Elekta SL 18 MV and the beam characteristics obtained. GafChromic EBT XD films and an Advanced Markus chamber were used for the dosimetry characterization, while a silicon sensor assessed the machine's beam pulses stability and repeatability. Dose per pulse, average dose rate and instantaneous dose rate in the pulse were evaluated for four experimental settings, varying the source-to-surface dis-tance and the beam collimation, i.e. with and without the use of a cylindrical applicator. Results showed dose per pulse from 0.6 Gy to a few tens of Gy and average dose rate up to 300 Gy/s. The obtained results demonstrate the possibility to perform in-vitro radiobiology experiments and test of new technologies for beam monitoring and dosimetry at the upgraded LINAC, thus contributing to the electron UHDR research field.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2020

The FragmentatiOn Of Target Experiment (FOOT) and its DAQ system

The FragmentatiOn Of Target (FOOT) experiment aims to provide precise nuclear cross-section measurements for two different fields: hadrontherapy and radio-protection in space. The main reason is the important role the nuclear fragmentation process plays in both fields, where the health risks caused by radiation are very similar and mainly attributable to the fragmentation process. The FOOT experiment has been developed in such a way that the experimental setup is easily movable and fits the space limitations of the experimental and treatment rooms available in hadrontherapy treatment centers, where most of the data takings are carried out. The Trigger and Data Acquisition system needs to follow the same criteria and it should work in different laboratories and in different conditions. It has been designed to acquire the largest sample size with high accuracy in a controlled and online-monitored environment. The data collected are processed in real-time for quality assessment and are available to the DAQ crew and detector experts during data taking.

physics.ins-det↗