Monte Carlo dosimetry using Fluka code and experimental dosimetry with Gafchromic EBT2 and XR-RV3 of self-built experimental setup for radiobiological studies with low-energy X-rays

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this research was to simulate self-built experimental setup for radiobiological research using X-ray diffraction C-tech tube and PW 3830 generator (PANalytical, Netherlands) and to calculate absorbed dose and to compare it with experimental dose measurements. The maximum X-ray energy was 60 keV.

Materials and methods: Petri dish was specially adapted to hold biological cells during the irradiation process. Rotation of Petri dish ensured radiation homogeneity and effectiveness of rotation process was confirmed using EBT2 Gafchromic film. Monte Carlo simulation using Fluka 2011 2c.4 was used to model the setup and to calculate dose absorbed by live cells. The EBT2 and XR-RV3 Gafchromic films were used to estimate relative experimental absorbed dose.

Results: The radiation homogeneity provided values with maximum deviation equal to ±3.5% from the average value and the absorbed dose rate was 0.9 Gy/min using simulation process and 1 Gy/min or 0.8 Gy/min using experimental methods (XR-RV3 and EBT2 Gafchromic film, respectively). All dose rate values show metrological compatibility.

Conclusions: Influence of specially constructed Petri dish on absorbed dose was determined using simulations that showed that low-energy photons, emitted as characteristic line from borosilicate glass forming component of Petri dish, were source of increase in dose absorbed by cells. This experimental setup will be used to conduct radiobiological research.

Highlights

• A low-energy X-ray system constructed for radiobiological studies was used.

• Dosimetry was based on a Monte Carlo simulation using Fluka 2011 code version 2c.4.

• A specially designed rotating Petri dish ensured the uniformity of the radiation distribution.

• Gafchromic EBT2 and XR-RV3 films were used to experimental dosimetry.

• Monte Carlo and experimental dosimetry showed metrological compatibility.

Keywords:

• Monte Carlo simulation
• low-energy X-ray
• radiobiological research
• Petri dish
• EBT2 and XR-RV3 films

Acknowledgments

The aluminum filters and the Mult-O-Meter, Unfors were borrowed from the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland and Holy Cross Cancer Center, Kielce, Poland. The Gafchromic type XR-RV3 was kindly delivered by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Department of Radiological Protection, Łódź, Poland. The μSPEC500 semiconductor detector with software (Ritec Ltd., Latvia) was kindly borrowed from the IRtech Sp. z o.o. Company, ul. Wyżynna 8 H, 30-617 Kraków, Poland.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a statutory research at Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland (role of study sponsor: in the study design) [grant number 612 424]; the European Regional Development Fund through the Polish Innovative Economy Operational Program (role of study sponsor: in the study design) [grant number POIG.02.02.00-26-023/08]; and the Development of Eastern Poland Program (role of study sponsor: in the study design) [grant number POPW.01.01.00-26-013/09-04].

Notes on contributors

Joanna Czub

Joanna Czub, PhD in physics, is a researcher whose interests are focused on the topics related to medical physics and radiobiology at Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Poland.

Janusz Braziewicz

Janusz Braziewicz, PhD, is a professor of physics at the Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Poland.

Adam Wasilewski

Adam Wasilewski, PhD in physics, is specialist in the field of simulation in detail in the Fluka program at National Center for Nuclear Research, Otwock, Świerk, Poland.

Anna Wysocka-Rabin

Anna Wysocka-Rabin, PhD, is a professor of physics at National Center for Nuclear Research, Otwock, Świerk, Poland.

Paweł Wołowiec

Paweł Wołowiec, MSc in physics, is specialist in medical physics, at the Department of Medical Physics at Holy Cross Cancer Center, Kielce, Poland.

Andrzej Wójcik

Andrzej Wójcik, PhD, is a professor of radiation biology at Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Sweden.