The Gridpix Detector: History and Perspective

Graaf, H. van der; Aarnink, Antonius A.I.; Aarts, Arno; Bakel, N. van; Berbee, E.; Berkien, A.; Beuzekom, M. van; Bosma, Marten; Campbell, M.; Chefdeville, M.; Colas, P.; Colijn, A. P.; Fomaini, A.; Fransen, M.; Giganon, A.; Giomataris, I.; Gotink, W.; Groot, N. De; Hartjes, F.; Heijden, Bas van der; Hessey, N. P.; Jansweijer, P.; König, A. C.; Koppert, W.J.C.; Llopart, X.; Nooij, L. De; Putten, S. van der; Rövekamp, J.; Salm, Cora; Bello, David San Segundo; Schmitz, Jurriaan; Smits, Sander M.; Timmermans, J.; Verkooijen, H.; Visschers, J.L.; Visser, J.; Wijnen, T.; Wyrsch, Nicolas

doi:10.1142/s021773231340021x

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The concept for gas pixel detectors is not new [26]; it was first developed by Bellazzini et al [27] as an X-ray polarimeter using a custom ASIC [28] for X-ray astronomy [29,30]. Other examples include the GRIDPIX designed for highenergy physics applications [31], but sparks and discharges have proven to be persistent problems with these devices. Thanks to a specially designed High Voltage power supply (HVGEM) [32] and a carefully designed GEM electrode layout, the GEMPix demonstrates good reliability and discharge resistance.…”

Section: The Gempixmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical Applications of the GEMPix

2021

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The GEMPix is a small gaseous detector with a highly pixelated readout, consisting of a drift region, three Gas Electron Multipliers (GEMs) for signal amplification, and four Timepix ASICs with 55 µm pixel pitch and a total of 262,144 pixels. A continuous flow of a gas mixture such as Ar:CO2:CF4, Ar:CO2 or propane-based tissue equivalent gas is supplied externally at a rate of 5 L/h. This article reviews the medical applications of the GEMPix. These include relative dose measurements in conventional photon radiation therapy and in carbon ion beams, by which on-line 2D dose images provided a similar or better performance compared to gafchromic films. Depth scans in a water phantom with 12C ions allowed measuring the 3D energy deposition and reconstructing the Bragg curve of a pencil beam. Microdosimetric measurements performed in neutron and photon fields allowed comparing dose spectra with those from Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counters and, additionally, to obtain particle track images. Some preliminary measurements performed to check the capabilities as the detector in proton tomography are also illustrated. The most important on-going developments are: (1) a new, larger area readout to cover the typical maximum field size in radiation therapy of 20 × 20 cm2; (2) a sealed and low-pressure version to facilitate measurements and to increase the equivalent spatial resolution for microdosimetry; (3) 3D particle track reconstruction when operating the GEMPix as a Time Projection Chamber.

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Section: The Gempixmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical Applications of the GEMPix

2021

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“…Such application usually relies on the high resistivity of a-Si:H. This material was, for example, used very successfully as spark protection layers in GridPix gaseous proportional detectors [38,39].…”

Section: A-si:h For Particle Detection (Detection Scheme and Requiremmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Note also that a-Si:H layers may also be used as resistive or protective layers in other types of particle detectors. Such application usually relies on the high resistivity of a-Si:H. This material was, for example, used very successfully as spark protection layers in GridPix gaseous proportional detectors [38,39].…”

Section: A-si:h Materials and Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of amorphous silicon based particle detectors: the quest for single particle detection

Wyrsch

Ballif

2016

Semicond. Sci. Technol.

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Abstract. Hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) is attractive for radiation detectors because of its radiation resistance and processability over large areas and with mature Si microfabrication techniques. While the use of a-Si:H for medical imaging has been very successful, the development of detectors for particle tracking and minimum-ionizing-particle detection has lagged, with almost no practical implementation. This paper reviews the development of various types of a-Si:H-based detectors and discusses their respective achievements and limitations. It also presents more recent developments of detectors that could potentially achieve single particle detection and be integrated in a monolithic fashion into a variety of applications.

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“…The concept for gas pixel detectors has been around for several years [4] and was first developed by Bellazzini et al [5] as an X-Ray polarimeter using a custom ASIC [6] for x-ray astronomy [7,8]. Other examples include the GRIDPIX detector designed for high energy physics applications [9], however sparks and discharges have proven to be persistent problems for these devices. Thanks to a specially designed High Voltage power supply (HVGEM, [10]) and a carefully designed GEM electrode layout, the GEMPix demonstrates good reliability and discharge resistance.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Particle tracking with a Timepix based triple GEM detector

et al. 2015

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This paper details the response of a triple GEM detector with a 55 µm pitch pixelated ASIC for readout. The detector is operated as a micro TPC with 9.5 cm 3 sensitive volume and characterized with a mixed beam of 120 GeV protons and positive pions. A process for reconstruction of incident particle tracks from individual ionization clusters is described and scans of the gain and drift fields are performed. The angular resolution of the measured tracks is characterized. Also, the readout was operated in a mixed mode where some pixels measure drift time and others charge. This was used to measure the energy deposition in the detector and the charge cloud size as a function of interaction depth. The future uses of the device, including in microdosimetry are discussed.

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The Gridpix Detector: History and Perspective

Cited by 3 publications

References 9 publications

Medical Applications of the GEMPix

Medical Applications of the GEMPix

Review of amorphous silicon based particle detectors: the quest for single particle detection

Particle tracking with a Timepix based triple GEM detector

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