Characterization of the proton pulsed beam at CMAM

Abstract

In this paper, the technicalities performed to obtain a pulsed beam at the CMAM facility will be explained. The pulsed beam has been characterized with an 8 MeV proton beam, using an existing equipment at CMAM: two pairs of electrostatic plates (RASTER) that deflect the beam, commonly used for homogeneous irradiation of large areas. A pulsed beam is used in many areas such as nuclear physics, material science and, in particular, for proton-therapy medical studies. Rectangular and pyramidal functions have been used to generate different pulses and characterize the response of the RASTER. The results point out that the pulses obtained are suitable for preclinical proton-therapy studies in the FLASH regime, which consists on fractionating the dose in time with short and intense pulses. The set-up for the characterization has been a function generator and a Si-PM outside the chamber.

Experimental Setup for Irradiation of Cell Cultures at L2A2

“…Related research is partly carried out at particle therapy centres, some of which are equipped with dedicated test stages [3]. Several non-clinical accelerator facilities operating at high [4] or comparatively lower ion energies [5][6][7][8] have also implemented beamlines for the controlled irradiation of biological samples. Differences in cell response to radiation at clinical or ultra-high dose rates have received special attention [9].…”