Next generation radiation detectors for in-vivo quality assurance in Medical Physics

The proposed research project aims to investigate the performance of organic and perovskite materials for dosimetry in photon and hadron therapy applications. This project will allow the potential development of a new class of dosimeter devices with the capability to monitor the dose delivered to the patient in real-time and in-vivo during the treatment. The outcomes of this study have the potential to impact the medical physics community by providing new and innovative alternatives for radiation dosimetry and its many applications.

New materials for X-ray sensors and dosimeters are currently revolutionising many aspects of public health and security, from medical imaging systems through to more accurate and higher sensitivity patient dosimetry. The rapid development of new ‘organic’ materials is leading this change, with materials that include fully tissue-equivalent organic semiconductors through to hybrid organic/inorganic perovskite thick films.

In this research project we will develop next-generation organic X-ray detectors for use as in-vivo dosimetry for use in procedures such as photon and proton cancer treatments. The unique radiation response of organic materials means that they can offer greater accuracy for dose measurements compared to existing technologies such as silicon devices, while also ensuring minimum perturbation of the radiation field due to their water-equivalent composition. Furthermore, organic materials can be easily processed using low cost solution-based methods, giving a route to low cost, high performance pixelated in-vivo dosimeters with high mechanical flexibility.

Supervisors

• Professor Paul Sellin
• Dr Carol Crean
• Professor Marco Petasecca

Open to UK and international candidates.

Applicants are expected to meet normal Physics PhD entry requirements.

IELTS Academic: normal University requirements.