EBT2 Dosimetry of X-rays produced by the electron beam from PFMA-3, a Plasma Focus for medical applications

TL;DR

This paper investigates the use of a Plasma Focus device as an X-ray source for medical intraoperative radiation therapy, analyzing electron beam interactions and dose predictions for biological experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a novel Plasma Focus device for X-ray generation and provides dosimetric analysis relevant to medical applications.

Findings

Electron beam impinges on brass foil to produce X-rays

Attenuation measurements inform dose predictions

Potential for use in intraoperative radiotherapy

Abstract

The electron beam emitted from the back of Plasma Focus devices is being studied as a radiation source for IORT (IntraOperative Radiation Therapy) applications. A Plasma Focus device is being developed to this aim, to be utilized as an X-ray source. The electron beam is driven to impinge on 50 {\mu}m brass foil, where conversion X-rays are generated. Measurements with gafchromic film are performed to analyse the attenuation of the X-rays beam and to predict the dose given to the culture cell in radiobiological experiments to follow.