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Author Gimenez-Alventosa, V.; Gimenez, V.; Ballester, F.; Vijande, J.; Andreo, P. doi  openurl
  Title Correction factors for ionization chamber measurements with the 'Valencia' and 'large field Valencia' brachytherapy applicators Type Journal Article
  Year (up) 2018 Publication Physics in Medicine and Biology Abbreviated Journal Phys. Med. Biol.  
  Volume 63 Issue 12 Pages 125004 - 10pp  
  Keywords skin applicator; Valencia applicator; large field Valencia applicator; HDR brachytherap; brachytherapy dosimetry; Monte Carlo  
  Abstract Treatment of small skin lesions using HDR brachytherapy applicators is a widely used technique. The shielded applicators currently available in clinical practice are based on a tungsten-alloy cup that collimates the source-emitted radiation into a small region, hence protecting nearby tissues. The goal of this manuscript is to evaluate the correction factors required for dose measurements with a plane-parallel ionization chamber typically used in clinical brachytherapy for the 'Valencia' and 'large field Valencia' shielded applicators. Monte Carlo simulations have been performed using the PENELOPE-2014 system to determine the absorbed dose deposited in a water phantom and in the chamber active volume with a Type A uncertainty of the order of 0.1%. The average energies of the photon spectra arriving at the surface of the water phantom differ by approximately 10%, being 384 keV for the 'Valencia' and 343 keV for the 'large field Valencia'. The ionization chamber correction factors have been obtained for both applicators using three methods, their values depending on the applicator being considered. Using a depth-independent global chamber perturbation correction factor and no shift of the effective point of measurement yields depth-dose differences of up to 1% for the 'Valencia' applicator. Calculations using a depth-dependent global perturbation factor, or a shift of the effective point of measurement combined with a constant partial perturbation factor, result in differences of about 0.1% for both applicators. The results emphasize the relevance of carrying out detailed Monte Carlo studies for each shielded brachytherapy applicator and ionization chamber.  
  Address [Gimenez-Alventosa, V.] Univ Politecn Valencia, CSIC, Ctr Mixto, Inst Instrumentac Imagen Mol I3M, E-46022 Valencia, Spain, Email: Javier.vijande@uv.es  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0031-9155 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000434682500004 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 3609  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Muñoz, E.; Barrio, J.; Bernabeu, J.; Etxebeste, A.; Lacasta, C.; Llosa, G.; Ros, A.; Roser, J.; Oliver, J.F. doi  openurl
  Title Study and comparison of different sensitivity models for a two-plane Compton camera Type Journal Article
  Year (up) 2018 Publication Physics in Medicine and Biology Abbreviated Journal Phys. Med. Biol.  
  Volume 63 Issue 13 Pages 135004 - 19pp  
  Keywords Compton camera imaging; MLEM; Monte Carlo simulations; image quality  
  Abstract Given the strong variations in the sensitivity of Compton cameras for the detection of events originating from different points in the field of view (FoV), sensitivity correction is often necessary in Compton image reconstruction. Several approaches for the calculation of the sensitivity matrix have been proposed in the literature. While most of these models are easily implemented and can be useful in many cases, they usually assume high angular coverage over the scattered photon, which is not the case for our prototype. In this work, we have derived an analytical model that allows us to calculate a detailed sensitivity matrix, which has been compared to other sensitivity models in the literature. Specifically, the proposed model describes the probability of measuring a useful event in a two-plane Compton camera, including the most relevant physical processes involved. The model has been used to obtain an expression for the system and sensitivity matrices for iterative image reconstruction. These matrices have been validated taking Monte Carlo simulations as a reference. In order to study the impact of the sensitivity, images reconstructed with our sensitivity model and with other models have been compared. Images have been reconstructed from several simulated sources, including point-like sources and extended distributions of activity, and also from experimental data measured with Na-22 sources. Results show that our sensitivity model is the best suited for our prototype. Although other models in the literature perform successfully in many scenarios, they are not applicable in all the geometrical configurations of interest for our system. In general, our model allows to effectively recover the intensity of point-like sources at different positions in the FoV and to reconstruct regions of homogeneous activity with minimal variance. Moreover, it can be employed for all Compton camera configurations, including those with low angular coverage over the scatterer.  
  Address [Munoz, Enrique; Barrio, John; Bernabeu, Jose; Etxebeste, Ane; Lacasta, Carlos; Llosa, Gabriela; Ros, Ana; Roser, Jorge; Oliver, Josep F.] Univ Valencia, CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular, IFIC, Valencia, Spain, Email: Enrique.Munoz@ific.uv.es  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0031-9155 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000436390800004 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration no  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 3639  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Etxebeste, A.; Barrio, J.; Bernabeu, J.; Lacasta, C.; Llosa, G.; Muñoz, E.; Ros, A.; Oliver, J.F. doi  openurl
  Title Study of sensitivity and resolution for full ring PET prototypes based on continuous crystals and analytical modeling of the light distribution Type Journal Article
  Year (up) 2019 Publication Physics in Medicine and Biology Abbreviated Journal Phys. Med. Biol.  
  Volume 64 Issue 3 Pages 035015 - 17pp  
  Keywords continuous crystals; NEMA NU 4-2008; positron emission tomography (PET); Monte Carlo simulations; image reconstruction; depth of interaction  
  Abstract Sensitivity and spatial resolution are the main parameters to maximize in the performance of a PET scanner. For this purpose, detectors consisting of a combination of continuous crystals optically coupled to segmented photodetectors have been employed. With the use of continuous crystals the sensitivity is increased with respect to the pixelated crystals. In addition, spatial resolution is no longer limited to the crystal size. The main drawback is the difficulty in determining the interaction position. In this work, we present the characterization of the performance of a full ring based on cuboid continuous crystals coupled to SiPMs. To this end, we have employed the simulations developed in a previous work for our experimental detector head. Sensitivity could be further enhanced by using tapered crystals. This enhancement is obtained by increasing the solid angle coverage, reducing the wedge-shaped gaps between contiguous detectors. The performance of the scanners based on both crystal geometries was characterized following NEMA NU 4-2008 standardized protocol in order to compare them. An average sensitivity gain over the entire axial field of view of 13.63% has been obtained with tapered geometry while similar performance of the spatial resolution has been proven with both scanners. The activity at which NECR and true peak occur is smaller and the peak value is greater for tapered crystals than for cuboid crystals. Moreover, a higher degree of homogeneity was obtained in the sensitivity map due to the tighter packing of the crystals, which reduces the gaps and results in a better recovery of homogeneous regions than for the cuboid configuration. Some of the results obtained, such as spatial resolution, depend on the interaction position estimation and may vary if other method is employed.  
  Address [Etxebeste, Ane; Barrio, John; Bernabeu, Jose; Lacasta, Carlos; Llosa, Gabriela; Munoz, Enrique; Ros, Ana; Oliver, Josef F.] Univ Valencia, CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular, Valencia, Spain, Email: ane.etxebeste@ific.uv.es  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0031-9155 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000457182500004 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 3897  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Etxebeste, A.; Dauvergne, D.; Fontana, M.; Letang, J.M.; Llosa, G.; Muñoz, E.; Oliver, J.F.; Testa, E.; Sarrut, D. doi  openurl
  Title CCMod: a GATE module for Compton camera imaging simulation Type Journal Article
  Year (up) 2020 Publication Physics in Medicine and Biology Abbreviated Journal Phys. Med. Biol.  
  Volume 65 Issue 5 Pages 055004 - 17pp  
  Keywords Monte Carlo; simulation; gamma imaging; Compton camera  
  Abstract Compton cameras are gamma-ray imaging systems which have been proposed for a wide variety of applications such as medical imaging, nuclear decommissioning or homeland security. In the design and optimization of such a system Monte Carlo simulations play an essential role. In this work, we propose a generic module to perform Monte Carlo simulations and analyses of Compton Camera imaging which is included in the open-source GATE/Geant4 platform. Several digitization stages have been implemented within the module to mimic the performance of the most commonly employed detectors (e.g. monolithic blocks, pixelated scintillator crystals, strip detectors...). Time coincidence sorter and sequence coincidence reconstruction are also available in order to aim at providing modules to facilitate the comparison and reproduction of the data taken with different prototypes. All processing steps may be performed during the simulation (on-the-fly mode) or as a post-process of the output files (offline mode). The predictions of the module have been compared with experimental data in terms of energy spectra, angular resolution, efficiency and back-projection image reconstruction. Consistent results within a 3-sigma interval were obtained for the energy spectra except for low energies where small differences arise. The angular resolution measure for incident photons of 1275 keV was also in good agreement between both data sets with a value close to 13 degrees. Moreover, with the aim of demonstrating the versatility of such a tool the performance of two different Compton camera designs was evaluated and compared.  
  Address [Etxebeste, A.; Letang, J. M.; Sarrut, D.] Univ Lyon 1, Univ Lyon, CREATIS, CNRS UMR5220,Inserm U1044,INSA Lyon, Lyon, France, Email: ane.etxebeste@creatis.insa-lyon.fr  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0031-9155 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000519034800001 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4321  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Muñoz, E.; Barrientos, L.; Bernabeu, J.; Borja-Lloret, M.; Llosa, G.; Ros, A.; Roser, J.; Oliver, J.F. doi  openurl
  Title A spectral reconstruction algorithm for two-plane Compton cameras Type Journal Article
  Year (up) 2020 Publication Physics in Medicine and Biology Abbreviated Journal Phys. Med. Biol.  
  Volume 65 Issue 2 Pages 025011 - 17pp  
  Keywords Compton imaging; Compton camera; hadron therapy; image reconstruction  
  Abstract One factor limiting the current applicability extent of hadron therapy is the lack of a reliable method for real time treatment monitoring. The use of Compton imaging systems as monitors requires the correct reconstruction of the distribution of prompt gamma productions during patient irradiation. In order to extract the maximum information from all the measurable events, we implemented a spectral reconstruction method that assigns to all events a probability of being either partial or total energy depositions. The method, implemented in a list-mode maximum likelihood expectation maximization algorithm, generates a four dimensional image in the joint spatial-spectral domain, in which the voxels containing the emission positions and energies are obtained. The analytical model used for the system response function is also employed to derive an analytical expression for the sensitivity, which is calculated via Monte Carlo integration. The performance of the method is evaluated through reconstruction of various experimental and simulated sources with different spatial and energy distributions. The results show that the proposed method can recover the spectral and spatial information simultaneously, but only under the assumption of ideal measurements. The analysis of the Monte Carlo simulations has led to the identification of two important degradation sources: the mispositioning of the gamma interaction point and the missing energy recorded in the interaction. Both factors are related to the high energy transferred to the recoil electrons, which can travel far from the interaction point and even escape the detector. These effects prevent the direct application of the current method in more realistic scenarios. Nevertheless, experimental point-like sources have been accurately reconstructed and the spatial distributions and spectral emission of complex simulated phantoms can be identified.  
  Address [Munoz, Enrique; Barrientos, Luis; Bernabeu, Jose; Borja-Lloret, Marina; Llosa, Gabriela; Ros, Ana; Roser, Jorge; Oliver, Josep F.] Univ Valencia, CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular, Valencia, Spain, Email: Enrique.Munoz@ific.uv.es  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0031-9155 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000520111400001 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration no  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4332  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Roser, J.; Muñoz, E.; Barrientos, L.; Barrio, J.; Bernabeu, J.; Borja-Lloret, M.; Etxebeste, A.; Llosa, G.; Ros, A.; Viegas, R.; Oliver, J.F. doi  openurl
  Title Image reconstruction for a multi-layer Compton telescope: an analytical model for three interaction events Type Journal Article
  Year (up) 2020 Publication Physics in Medicine and Biology Abbreviated Journal Phys. Med. Biol.  
  Volume 65 Issue 14 Pages 145005 - 17pp  
  Keywords Compton camera; Compton imaging; hadron therapy; image reconstruction; lm-mlem; monte carlo simulations; multi-layer Compton telescope  
  Abstract Compton Cameras are electronically collimated photon imagers suitable for sub-MeV to few MeV gamma-ray detection. Such features are desirable to enablein vivorange verification in hadron therapy, through the detection of secondary Prompt Gammas. A major concern with this technique is the poor image quality obtained when the incoming gamma-ray energy is unknown. Compton Cameras with more than two detector planes (multi-layer Compton Cameras) have been proposed as a solution, given that these devices incorporate more signal sequences of interactions to the conventional two interaction events. In particular, three interaction events convey more spectral information as they allow inferring directly the incident gamma-ray energy. A three-layer Compton Telescope based on continuous Lanthanum (III) Bromide crystals coupled to Silicon Photomultipliers is being developed at the IRIS group of IFIC-Valencia. In a previous work we proposed a spectral reconstruction algorithm for two interaction events based on an analytical model for the formation of the signal. To fully exploit the capabilities of our prototype, we present here an extension of the model for three interaction events. Analytical expressions of the sensitivity and the System Matrix are derived and validated against Monte Carlo simulations. Implemented in a List Mode Maximum Likelihood Expectation Maximization algorithm, the proposed model allows us to obtain four-dimensional (energy and position) images by using exclusively three interaction events. We are able to recover the correct spectrum and spatial distribution of gamma-ray sources when ideal data are employed. However, the uncertainties associated to experimental measurements result in a degradation when real data from complex structures are employed. Incorrect estimation of the incident gamma-ray interaction positions, and missing deposited energy associated with escaping secondaries, have been identified as the causes of such degradation by means of a detailed Monte Carlo study. As expected, our current experimental resolution and efficiency to three interaction events prevents us from correctly recovering complex structures of radioactive sources. However, given the better spectral information conveyed by three interaction events, we expect an improvement of the image quality of conventional Compton imaging when including such events. In this regard, future development includes the incorporation of the model assessed in this work to the two interaction events model in order to allow using simultaneously two and three interaction events in the image reconstruction.  
  Address [Roser, J.; Munoz, E.; Barrientos, L.; Barrio, J.; Bernabeu, J.; Borja-Lloret, M.; Etxebeste, A.; Llosa, G.; Ros, A.; Viegas, R.; Oliver, J. F.] Inst Fis Corpuscular IFIC CSIC UVEG, Valencia, Spain, Email: Jorge.Roser@ific.uv.es  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0031-9155 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000552701600001 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration no  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4481  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Gimenez-Alventosa, V.; Gimenez, V.; Ballester, F.; Vijande, J.; Andreo, P. doi  openurl
  Title Monte Carlo calculation of beam quality correction factors for PTW cylindrical ionization chambers in photon beams Type Journal Article
  Year (up) 2020 Publication Physics in Medicine and Biology Abbreviated Journal Phys. Med. Biol.  
  Volume 65 Issue 20 Pages 205005 - 11pp  
  Keywords TRS 398; Monte Carlo; dosimetry; ionization chambers; MV photon beams  
  Abstract The beam quality correction factork(Q)for megavoltage photon beams has been calculated for eight PTW (Freiburg, Germany) ionization chambers (Farmer chambers PTW30010, PTW30011, PTW30012, and PTW30013, Semiflex 3D chambers PTW31021, PTW31010, and PTW31013, and the PinPoint 3D chamber PTW31016). Simulations performed on the widely used NE-2571 ionization chamber have been used to benchmark the results. The Monte Carlo code PENELOPE/penEasy was used to calculate the absorbed dose to a point in water and the absorbed dose to the active air volume of the chambers for photon beams in the range 4 to 24 MV. Of the nine ionization chambers analysed, only five are included in the current version of the International Code of Practice for dosimetry based on standards of absorbed dose to water (IAEA TRS 398). The values reported in this work agree with those in the literature within the uncertainty estimates and are to be included in the average values of the data obtained by different working groups for the forthcoming update of TRS 398.  
  Address [Gimenez-Alventosa, Vicent] Univ Politecn Valencia, CSIC, Ctr Mixto, Inst Instrumentac Imagen Mol I3M, Valencia, Spain, Email: javier.vijande@uv.es  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0031-9155 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000576070000001 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration no  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4556  
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Author Ros Garcia, A.; Barrio, J.; Etxebeste, A.; Garcia-Lopez, J.; Jimenez-Ramos, M.C.; Lacasta, C.; Muñoz, E.; Oliver, J.F.; Roser, J.; Llosa, G. doi  openurl
  Title MACACO II test-beam with high energy photons Type Journal Article
  Year (up) 2020 Publication Physics in Medicine and Biology Abbreviated Journal Phys. Med. Biol.  
  Volume 65 Issue 24 Pages 245027 - 12pp  
  Keywords Compton imaging; Compton camera; proton therapy; LaBr3; test-beam; image reconstruction  
  Abstract The IRIS group at IFIC Valencia is developing a three-layer Compton camera for treatment monitoring in proton therapy. The system is composed of three detector planes, each made of a LaBr3<i monolithic crystal coupled to a SiPM array. Having obtained successful results with the first prototype (MACACO) that demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed technology, a second prototype (MACACO II) with improved performance has been developed, and is the subject of this work. The new system has an enhanced detector energy resolution which translates into a higher spatial resolution of the telescope. The image reconstruction method has also been improved with an accurate model of the sensitivity matrix. The device has been tested with high energy photons at the National Accelerator Centre (CNA, Seville). The tests involved a proton beam of 18 MeV impinging on a graphite target, to produce 4.4 MeV photons. Data were taken at different system positions of the telescope with the first detector at 65 and 160 mm from the target, and at different beam intensities. The measurements allowed successful reconstruction of the photon emission distribution at two target positions separated by 5 mm in different telescope configurations. This result was obtained both with data recorded in the first and second telescope planes (two interaction events) and, for the first time in beam experiments, with data recorded in the three planes (three interaction events).  
  Address [Ros Garcia, A.; Barrio, J.; Etxebeste, A.; Lacasta, C.; Munoz, E.; Oliver, J. F.; Roser, J.; Llosa, G.] Univ Valencia, CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular, Valencia, Spain, Email: arosgar@ific.uv.es  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0031-9155 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000600803000001 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration no  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4654  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Valdes-Cortez, C.; Ballester, F.; Vijande, J.; Gimenez, V.; Gimenez-Alventosa, V.; Perez-Calatayud, J.; Niatsetski, Y.; Andreo, P. doi  openurl
  Title Depth-dose measurement corrections for the surface electronic brachytherapy beams of an Esteya(R) unit: a Monte Carlo study Type Journal Article
  Year (up) 2020 Publication Physics in Medicine and Biology Abbreviated Journal Phys. Med. Biol.  
  Volume 65 Issue 24 Pages 245026 - 12pp  
  Keywords electronic brachytherapy; eBT; dosimetry; ionization chamber; Monte Carlo  
  Abstract Three different correction factors for measurements with the parallel-plate ionization chamber PTW T34013 on the Esteya electronic brachytherapy unit have been investigated. This chamber type is recommended by AAPM TG-253 for depth-dose measurements in the 69.5 kV x-ray beam generated by the Esteya unit. Monte Carlo simulations using the PENELOPE-2018 system were performed to determine the absorbed dose deposited in water and in the chamber sensitive volume at different depths with a Type A uncertainty smaller than 0.1%. Chamber-to-chamber differences have been explored performing measurements using three different chambers. The range of conical applicators available, from 10 to 30 mm in diameter, has been explored. Using a depth-independent global chamber perturbation correction factor without a shift of the effective point of measurement yielded differences between the absorbed dose to water and the corrected absorbed dose in the sensitive volume of the chamber of up to 1% and 0.6% for the 10 mm and 30 mm applicators, respectively. Calculations using a depth-dependent perturbation factor, including or excluding a shift of the effective point of measurement, resulted in depth-dose differences of about +/- 0.5% or less for both applicators. The smallest depth-dose differences were obtained when a shift of the effective point of measurement was implemented, being displaced 0.4 mm towards the center of the sensitive volume of the chamber. The correction factors were obtained with combined uncertainties of 0.4% (k = 2). Uncertainties due to chamber-to-chamber differences are found to be lower than 2%. The results emphasize the relevance of carrying out detailed Monte Carlo studies for each electronic brachytherapy device and ionization chamber used for its dosimetry.  
  Address [Valdes-Cortez, Christian; Ballester, Facundo; Vijande, Javier] Univ Valencia UV, Dept Fis Atom Mol & Nucl, Burjassot, Spain, Email: cvalcort@gmail.com  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0031-9155 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000618031500001 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4708  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Valdes-Cortez, C.; Mansour, I.; Rivard, M.J.; Ballester, F.; Mainegra-Hing, E.; Thomson, R.M.; Vijande, J. url  doi
openurl 
  Title A study of Type B uncertainties associated with the photoelectric effect in low-energy Monte Carlo simulations Type Journal Article
  Year (up) 2021 Publication Physics in Medicine and Biology Abbreviated Journal Phys. Med. Biol.  
  Volume 66 Issue 10 Pages 105014 - 14pp  
  Keywords Monte Carlo simulations; brachytherapy; low energy physics; photoelectric effect  
  Abstract Purpose. To estimate Type B uncertainties in absorbed-dose calculations arising from the different implementations in current state-of-the-art Monte Carlo (MC) codes of low-energy photon cross-sections (<200 keV). Methods. MC simulations are carried out using three codes widely used in the low-energy domain: PENELOPE-2018, EGSnrc, and MCNP. Three dosimetry-relevant quantities are considered: mass energy-absorption coefficients for water, air, graphite, and their respective ratios; absorbed dose; and photon-fluence spectra. The absorbed dose and the photon-fluence spectra are scored in a spherical water phantom of 15 cm radius. Benchmark simulations using similar cross-sections have been performed. The differences observed between these quantities when different cross-sections are considered are taken to be a good estimator for the corresponding Type B uncertainties. Results. A conservative Type B uncertainty for the absorbed dose (k = 2) of 1.2%-1.7% (<50 keV), 0.6%-1.2% (50-100 keV), and 0.3% (100-200 keV) is estimated. The photon-fluence spectrum does not present clinically relevant differences that merit considering additional Type B uncertainties except for energies below 25 keV, where a Type B uncertainty of 0.5% is obtained. Below 30 keV, mass energy-absorption coefficients show Type B uncertainties (k = 2) of about 1.5% (water and air), and 2% (graphite), diminishing in all materials for larger energies and reaching values about 1% (40-50 keV) and 0.5% (50-75 keV). With respect to their ratios, the only significant Type B uncertainties are observed in the case of the water-to-graphite ratio for energies below 30 keV, being about 0.7% (k = 2). Conclusions. In contrast with the intermediate (about 500 keV) or high (about 1 MeV) energy domains, Type B uncertainties due to the different cross-sections implementation cannot be considered subdominant with respect to Type A uncertainties or even to other sources of Type B uncertainties (tally volume averaging, manufacturing tolerances, etc). Therefore, the values reported here should be accommodated within the uncertainty budget in low-energy photon dosimetry studies.  
  Address [Valdes-Cortez, Christian; Ballester, Facundo; Vijande, Javier] Univ Valencia UV, Dept Fis Atom Mol & Nucl, Burjassot, Spain, Email: javier.vijande@uv.es  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0031-9155 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes WOS:000655291500001 Approved no  
  Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes  
  Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4847  
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