Characterization of a beam-tagging hodoscope for hadrontherapy monitoring

TL;DR

This study evaluates a fiber-based beam tagging hodoscope's performance for hadrontherapy monitoring, demonstrating high detection efficiency, good timing resolution, and viability for clinical beam monitoring applications.

Contribution

The paper introduces and characterizes a novel fiber-based hodoscope prototype for beam monitoring in hadrontherapy, showing its effectiveness and potential for clinical use.

Findings

Detection efficiency exceeds 98% with OR logic

Timing resolution around 1.8 ns FWHM

Effective for beam intensities up to 1 MHz

Abstract

A beam tagging hodoscope prototype made of squared 1 mm$^2$ fibers arranged in two perpendicular planes and coupled to multi-anode photomultipliers has been studied using 65 MeV proton as well as 95 MeV/u $^{12}$C beams at various intensities. This hodoscope successfully provided 2D images of proton beams with a detection efficiency larger than 98 % with logical OR condition between the two fiber planes. The detection efficiency with a coincidence between the two planes is close to 75 % for beam intensities up to $\sim1$ MHz. Moreover, the timing resolution is around 1.8 ns FWHM. Overall, the performances show that such a technology is viable for beam monitoring during hadrontherapy.