Mathematical modeling of low-energy proton tomograph and creation of a stand for studying calorimeter elements

Author: giorgi lomidze
Keywords: Physics, proton tomography
Annotation:

Annotation Currently, worldwide many laboratories are striving to develop and enhance computer tomography systems. However, this endeavor is not without its challenges, including issues related to material resources and the high costs involved. Between the latter half of the 20th century and the 21st century, there have been significant advancements in radiation therapy planning and treatment methods. Today, all high and mid-level clinics are equipped with screening technologies such as X-ray, computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography, etc al . Radiation therapy centers also utilize linear accelerators, which produce high energy photons to destroy cancerous cells in patients. Such accelerators are installed and are in use in several clinics in Georgia. In recent years, there has been active development and research into radiation therapy using hadrons. Compared to photon radiation, hadron therapy has several advantages. When photons enter a patient’s body, healthy cells also receive enough energy for ionization, and due to photon scattering on atoms, a much larger volume than the cancerous volume is irradiated. In contrast, hadrons lose energy in a specific way when they enter matter, allowing for the delivery of most of their energy to the patient’s pathological tissues while sparing healthy tissue from damage. Due to the unique properties of hadrons, many laboratories are exploring the use of protons also for diagnostic purposes through proton tomography. This imaging technique can provide more useful information for hadron therapy. Additionally, patients receive a lower dose of radiation with proton tomography compared to X-ray screening, allowing for more frequent screenings. At the end of 2022 TSU – High energy physics institute research group began developing a low energy hadron calorimeter, a vital component of the proton thomography. In this master thesis, the methods used to investigate the parameters of the components of a test model of a calorimeter are presented. Using cosmic radiation, the properties of scintillator detectors were examined. By analyzing the data, the optimal working voltage at which background signal is minimized and true signal is maximized was determined. Furthermore, as part of this study, a system for reading and analyzing data was developed, which is also presented in the thesis.

Lecture files:

დაბალენერგეტიკული პროტონული ტომოგრაფის მათემატიკური მოდელირება და კალორიმეტრის ელემენტების შესასწავლი სტენდის შექმნა [ka]