{
  "abstract": "Objective: The reliable use of preclinical small-animal irradiators requires dosimetric characterization and quality assurance (QA) protocols. This study aimed to characterize the FLASH-SARRP, a dual-tube small-animal X-ray irradiator capable of ultra-high dose-rate (UHDR) delivery, as well as to establish and validate a practical QA workflow that improves dose reproducibility for preclinical FLASH experiments. Approach: A combined dosimetric approach using Gafchromic films for spatial dose assessment and a plastic scintillating fiber for real-time temporal monitoring, was used to evaluate beam characteristics. Custom 3D-printed spacers were designed to ensure reproducible experimental configurations. The temporal pulse structure of the two X-ray tubes and their synchronization during simultaneous irradiation were investigated using scintillating fiber measurements. Based on the findings of the two dosimeters, a QA workflow was implemented and validated, which uses a cross-calibration between the Gafchromic film and the scintillating fiber in the experimental setup, followed by pre-irradiation verification with the fiber to compensate for day-to-day output variations. Main results: Simultaneous irradiation of both X-ray tubes achieved dose-rates of approximately 80 Gy/s inside a homogeneous irradiation field suitable for small-animal studies. Temporal measurements revealed an average delay of 10 ms in between the two X-ray tubes, resulting in temporal dose-rate heterogeneity throughout the delivery of the dose. Additionally, a substantial inter-session variability of approximately 11% was found, whereas the intra-session variability was relatively low around ~4%. Implementation of the proposed QA workflow reduced the inter-session variability to around 5%, approaching the intrinsic intra-session variability of the machine. Significance: This work highlights the importance of temporal dosimetry for preclinical FLASH studies, as a measurable desynchronization between the two X-ray tubes was identified, generating temporal dose-rate heterogeneity that would not be detected by integrated dose measurements alone. The proposed QA framework improves reproducibility and provides a practical approach for reliable preclinical investigations.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "HUG"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 10,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "M. Knol"
    },
    {
      "name": "P. Goncalves Jorge"
    },
    {
      "name": "L. V. Kunz"
    },
    {
      "name": "P. Korysko"
    },
    {
      "name": "B. Petit"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. Durham"
    },
    {
      "name": "V. Marie-catherine"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "P. Tsoutsou"
    },
    {
      "name": "N. Koutsouvelis"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. Lascaud"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/e7awqya4vb6zv.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.07.06.736680",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.06.736680v2.full",
  "id": "e7awqya4vb6zv",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.06.736680v2",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "cancer biology"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "3108|Advanced Radiotherapy Techniques"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7167642652",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.06.736680v2.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-07-06",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/e7awqya4vb6zv.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-02T12:20:49Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.07.06.736680",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.06.736680v2"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "biorxiv:cancer biology",
      "subfield": "oncology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Dosimetric Characterization and Workflow Optimization of the FLASH-SARRP for Reliable Preclinical Radiobiological Studies",
  "title_text": "Dosimetric Characterization and Workflow Optimization of the FLASH-SARRP for Reliable Preclinical Radiobiological Studies",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-03T00:20:31Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/e7awqya4vb6zv",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}