Single crystal diamond detector for radiotherapy

F Schirru (1) , K Kisielewicz (2) , T Nowak (1) , B Marczewska (1)

1 Institute of Nuclear Physics ( IFJ )
2 Kraków Branch ( COOK )

The new generation of synthetic diamonds grown as CVD single crystal on HPHT substrate offers a wide range of applications. In particular, because of the near tissue equivalence and its small size (good spatial resolution), CVD single crystal diamond finds applicability in radiotherapy as dosemeter of ionizing radiation. In the present paper we report the electrical and dosimetric properties of a new diamond detector which was fabricated at IFJ and based on single crystal detector-grade CVD diamond provided of a novel contact metallization. Diamond properties were assessed at IFJ using a Theratron 680E therapeutic 60 Co gamma rays unit and at COOK with 6 and 18 MV X-rays Varian Clinac CL2300 C/D accelerator. The new dosemeter showed high electric and dosimetric performances: low value of dark current, high current at the level of some nA during irradiation, very fast dynamic response with a rise time amounting to parts of second, good stability and repeatability of the current and linearity of the detector signal at different dose and dose rate levels typically applied in radiotherapy. Results confirm the potential applicability of diamond material as dosemeter for applications in radiotherapy.

Mots clés: Physical Sciences

F Schirru, K Kisielewicz, T Nowak, B Marczewska. Single crystal diamond detector for radiotherapy. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 2010, 43 (26), pp.265101. ⟨10.1088/0022-3727/43/26/265101⟩. ⟨hal-00597822⟩