Cross sections for production of the 15.10-MeV and other astrophysically significant gamma-ray lines through excitation and spallation of 12C and 16O with protons

Spectroscopic study of prompt-gamma emission for range verification in proton therapy

We present the results of an investigation of the prompt-gamma emission from an interaction of a proton beam with phantom materials. Measurements were conducted with a novel setup allowing the precise selection of the investigated depth in the phantom, featuring three different materials composed of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. We studied two beam energies of 70.54 and 130.87MeV and two detection angles: 90° and 120°. The results are presented in form of profiles of the prompt-gamma yield as a function of depth. In the analysis we focused on the transitions with the largest cross sections: ¹²C_4.44→g.s. and ¹⁶O_6.13→g.s.. We compare the profiles obtained under various irradiation conditions, with emphasis on the shape of the distal fall-off. The results are also compared to calculations including different cross-section models. They are in agreement with the model exploiting published cross-section data, but the comparison with the Talys model shows discrepancies.

Evaluation of proton inelastic reaction models in Geant4 for prompt gamma production during proton radiotherapy

During proton beam radiotherapy, discrete secondary prompt gamma rays are induced by inelastic nuclear reactions between protons and nuclei in the human body. In recent years, the Geant4 Monte Carlo toolkit has played an important role in the development of a device for real time dose range verification purposes using prompt gamma radiation. Unfortunately the default physics models in Geant4 do not reliably replicate the measured prompt gamma emission. Determining a suitable physics model for low energy proton inelastic interactions will boost the accuracy of prompt gamma simulations. Among the built-in physics models, we found that the precompound model with a modified initial exciton state of 2 (1 particle, 1 hole) produced more accurate discrete gamma lines from the most important elements found within the body such as 16O, 12C and 14N when comparing them with the available gamma production cross section data. Using the modified physics model, we investigated the prompt gamma spectra produced in a water phantom by a 200 MeV pencil beam of protons. The spectra were attained using a LaBr3 detector with a time-of-flight (TOF) window and BGO active shield to reduce the secondary neutron and gamma background. The simulations show that a 2 ns TOF window could reduce 99% of the secondary neutron flux hitting the detector. The results show that using both timing and active shielding can remove up to 85% of the background radiation which includes a 33% reduction by BGO subtraction.