Correction of nonuniformity error of Gafchromic EBT2 and EBT3

Dosimetric properties of a newly developed thermoluminescent sheet-type dosimeter for clinical proton beams

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the dosimetric properties of a newly developed thermoluminescent sheet‐type dosimeter (TLD‐sheet) for clinical proton beams.

Materials and Methods

The TLD‐sheet is composed mainly of manganese doped lithium triborate, with a physical size and thickness of 150 mm × 150 mm and 0.15 mm respectively. It is flexible and can be cut freely for usage. The TLD‐sheet has an effective atomic number of 7.3 and tissue‐equivalent properties. We tested the reproducibility, fading effect, dose linearity, homogeneity, energy dependence, and water equivalent thickness (WET) of the TLD‐sheet for clinical proton beams. We conducted tests with both unmodulated and modulated proton beams at energies of 150 and 210 MeV.

Results

The measurement reproducibility was within 4%, which included the inhomogeneity of the TLD‐sheet. The fading rates were approximately 20% and 30% after 2 and 7 days respectively. The TLD‐sheet showed notable energy dependence in the Bragg peak and distal end of the spread‐out Bragg peak regions. However, the dose–response characteristics of the TLD‐sheet remained linear up to a physical dose of 10 Gy in this study. This linearity was highly superior to those of commonly used radiochromic film. The thin WET of the TLD‐sheet had little effect on the range.

Conclusion

Although notable energy dependences were observed in Bragg peak region, the response characteristics examined in this study, such as reproducibility, fading effects, dose linearity, dose homogeneity and WET, showed that the TLD‐sheet can be a useful and effective dosimetry tool. With its flexible and reusable characteristics, it may also be an excellent in vivo skin dosimetry tool for proton therapy.

Ultraviolet ray irradiation duration for the pre-exposure of Gafchromic EBT2

The strength and density change of the ultraviolet (UV) ray of Gafchromic EBT2 were investigated. Previous studies suggested that UV-A rays can be substituted for the x-ray double-exposure technique to correct Gafchromic EBT2’s non-uniformity error. In this study, we aimed to determine the appropriate strength of UV-A rays for irradiating an active layer that would correct the non-uniformity error of Gafchromic EBT2.

UV-A rays with a wavelength of 375 nm were used to irradiate Gafchromic EBT2 in various durations, and the resulting density change was investigated. To correct Gafchromic EBT2’s non-uniformity error, a pre-irradiation with a UV-A lamp was conducted at a distance of 72 cm for 30 min. To determine the most appropriate irradiation duration, a UV light-emitting diode generating UV-A of 375 nm was used to irradiate the Gafchromic EBT2 film with varying durations of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min at a distance of 5.3 cm. A 12.7 diameter region of interest was set by the irradiation area, and a histogram of pixel values was created. The condition options were decided based on two important requirements: 1) no zero values of the mode and seconds exist, and 2) the 1/10 value of the mode intersects both histogram sleeves.

In the case of Gafchromic EBT2, the irradiation strength was 85.43 mJ/cm2 for one minute in which the pixel value of mean ± SD was 255.34 ± 213.29. The irradiation duration of 4 min was the border duration of the above two conditions. When a UV ray of 375 nm wavelength is used to irradiate Gafchromic EBT2 as a substitute for x-ray exposure, the 4-min pre-irradiation duration (341.74 mJ/cm2) is demonstrably sufficient.

Determining optimum wavelength of ultraviolet rays to pre-exposure of non-uniformity error correction in Gafchromic EBT2 films

Gafchromic films have been used to measure X-ray doses in diagnostic radiology such as computed tomography. The double-exposure technique is used to correct non-uniformity error of Gafchromic EBT2 films. Because of the heel effect of diagnostic x-rays, ultraviolet A (UV-A) is intended to be used as a substitute for x-rays. When using a UV-A light-emitting diode (LED), it is necessary to determine the effective optimal UV wavelength for the active layer of Gafchromic EBT2 films. This study evaluated the relation between the increase in color density of Gafchromic EBT2 films and the UV wavelengths. First, to correct non-uniformity, a Gafchromic EBT2 film was pre-irradiated using uniform UV-A radiation for 60 min from a 72-cm distance. Second, the film was irradiated using a UV-LED with a wavelength of 353-410 nm for 60 min from a 5.3-cm distance. The maximum, minimum, and mean ± standard deviation (SD) of pixel values of the subtraction images were evaluated using 0.5 inches of a circular region of interest (ROI). The highest mean ± SD (8915.25 ± 608.86) of the pixel value was obtained at a wavelength of 375 nm. The results indicated that 375 nm is the most effective and sensitive wavelength of UV-A for Gafchromic EBT2 films and that UV-A can be used as a substitute for x-rays in the double-exposure technique.

Intensities of Incident and Transmitted Ultraviolet-A Rays through Gafchromic Films

Gafchromic films have been applied to X-ray dosimetry in diagnostic radiology. To correct nonuniformity errors in Gafchromic films, X-rays in the double-exposure technique can be replaced with ultraviolet (UV)-A rays. Intensities of the incident and transmitted UV-A rays were measured. However, it is unclear whether the chemical color change of Gafchromic films affects the UV-A transmission intensity. Gafchromic EBT3 films were suitable to be used in this study because non-UV protection layers are present on both sides of the film. The film is placed between UV-A ray light-emitting diodes and a probe of a UV meter. Gafchromic EBT3 films were irradiated by UV-A rays for up to 60 min. Data for analysis were obtained in the subsequent 60 min. Images from before and after UV-A irradiation were subtracted. When using 375 nm UV-A, the mean ± standard deviation (SD) of the pixel values in the subtracted image was remarkably high (11,194.15 ± 586.63). However, the UV-A transmissivity remained constant throughout the 60 min irradiation period. The mean ± SD UV-A transmission intensity was 184.48 ± 0.50 μm/cm². Our findings demonstrate that color density changes in Gafchromic EBT3 films do not affect their UV-A transmission. Therefore, Gafchromic films were irradiated by UV-A rays as a preexposure.