RADIATION PHYSICS FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS
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- Versione italiana
- Academic year
- 2022/2023
- Teacher
- PAOLO CARDARELLI
- Credits
- 6
- Didactic period
- Secondo Semestre
- SSD
- FIS/07
Training objectives
- This course deals with the physical processes underlying the production, interaction with matter and detection of ionizing radiation, within the scope of Physics applied to Medicine. The main objective is to provide theoretical foundations combined with the fundamental tools necessary to carry out research activities, or continue with further training, in the field of Medical Physics.
The main knowledge acquired by the student will be:
Understanding of the physical processes responsible for the emission of ionizing radiation from natural and artificial sources. Understanding of the interaction modalities of ionizing radiation with matter, in particular of the phenomena related to medical applications: interaction with biological tissues and working principles of radiation detectors. Definition and use of dosimetric quantities. Knowledge of methods and instrumentation for radiation detection: spectroscopy and dosimetry. Introduction to Monte Carlo simulation for radiation transport and dosimetry applied to the clinical practice.
The course includes several assignments to be carried out autonomously that allow the student to independently address problems related to the application of the fundamental concepts discussed during the course.
In particular, the course aims to develop the following skills:
- carry out effective quick approximate predictions of the results of processes or experiments involving ionizing radiation in the medical field;
- analytically model and produce predictions of experimental apparatuses that include source, interaction with samples and radiation detectors using numerical computational tools (eg Python, Matlab); - select the most suitable experimental methods and detectors based on the spectroscopic or dosimetric application of interest;
- evaluate the energy deposited in a medium by a radiation field and master the fundamental concepts of dosimetry. Prerequisites
- Classical physics, elements of solid state physics, elements of quantum mechanics, elements of relativity, elements of nuclear physics. Radiation-matter interaction.
Course programme
- 1. Production of ionizing radiation [10h]
Radioisotopes and radioactive decays, X-ray tube and bremsstrahlung sources, overview of synchrotron radiation
2. Review of radiation-matter interaction processes relevant for medical physics applications [12h]
Radiation-matter interaction in materials and biological tissues of medical interest, in the energy range of X-ray imaging (10-100 keV), nuclear medicine (0.1-1 MeV) and radiotherapy (0.1-10 MeV).
3. Dosimetry [8 h]
Dosimetric quantities and units: fluence, flux, exposure and the Roentgen, absorbed dose and the Gray, Kerma. Elements of radioprotection dosimetry: quality factor, effective and equivalent dose, biological effects of radiation
4. Radiation detectors and dosimeters [10 h]
Detectors for X-ray/gamma spectroscopy, ionization chambers and geiger counters, calorimetric dosimetry, chemical dosimetry, film dosimetry, scintillation (TLD) dosimetry, solid-state dosimetry
5. Introduction to the Monte Carlo method for the simulation of radiation transport [10 h]
Introduction to Monte Carlo techniques and overview of main codes (Geant4, EGSnrc, MCNP..). Hands-on activity and examples
6. Dosimetry in clinical practice [4 h] Didactic methods
- The course is organized as follows: 1) classroom lectures on all course topics; 2) numerical exercises aimed at self-assessment of learning; 3) introduction to computer simulations and use of specific Monte Carlo codes for the transport of radiation; 4) Seminars by medical physicists from clinic, visit to a hospital and experience on clinical dosimetric practice
Learning assessment procedures
- During the course problems and exercises will be assigned in order to progressively verify the understanding of the topics covered in class. The final exam will consist of an oral test, in which the topics will be discussed to verify the understanding and ability to apply the knowledge acquired to concrete problems.
Reference texts
- E.B. Podgorsak, Radiation Physics for Medical Physicists, Springer-Verlag (3rd Edition, 2016)..
F.H. Attix, "Introduction to radiological physics and radiation dosimetry", John Wiley & Sons (1986).
J. P. Gibbons, F. M. Khan, "Khan's The Physics of Radiation Therapy", Wolters Kluwer (5th Edition,2014)
