Experimental stopping power estimation in a homogeneous phantom via prompt gamma timing towards proton therapy monitoring
4 affiliations
- 1Institute of Medical Engineering, University of Lübeck
- 2INFN Sezione di Torino
- 3National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO)
- 4Department of Physics, University of Turin (UNITO)
Abstract
The full potential of proton therapy is limited by uncertainties that prevent optimal dose distribution. Monitoring techniques can reduce these uncertainties and enable adaptive treatment planning. Spatiotemporal Emission Reconstruction from Prompt-Gamma Timing (SER-PGT) is a promising method that provides insights into both particle range and stopping power, the calculation of which normally requires knowledge about patient tissue properties that cannot be directly measured. We present the first experimental proof of principle obtained using a 226.9 MeV synchrotron-proton beam impinging on a homogeneous phantom at a subclinical intensity (2 - 4 × 107 pps). SER-PGT uses data from a multidetector setup: a thin and segmented Low Gain Avalanche Diode for proton detection and Lanthanum Bromide-based crystals for photon detection. The estimated stopping power profile showed an 8%± 3% average error compared with the NIST PSTAR values, and a 2%± 2% deviation relative to water at 100 MeV. Range assessment in a phantom with a 4 cm air gap successfully identified the range shift with a 3 mm standard deviation. For this proof-of-principle irradiation scenario, the experimental results demonstrate the recovery of both range and stopping power information through SER-PGT, particle kinematics and PGT measurements in a homogeneous target.
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BibTeX
@article{werner2026experimental,
title = {{Experimental stopping power estimation in a homogeneous phantom via prompt gamma timing towards proton therapy monitoring}},
author = {Julius Werner and Francesco Pennazio and Piergiorgio Cerello and Elisa Fiorina and Simona Giordanengo and Felix Mas Milian and Alessio Mereghetti and Franco Mostardi and Marco Pullia and Sahar Ranjbar and Roberto Sacchi and Anna Vignati and Magdalena Rafecas and Veronica Ferrero},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-59468-w},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-59468-w},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Experimental stopping power estimation in a homogeneous phantom via prompt gamma timing towards proton therapy monitoring
AU - Julius Werner
AU - Francesco Pennazio
AU - Piergiorgio Cerello
AU - Elisa Fiorina
AU - Simona Giordanengo
AU - Felix Mas Milian
AU - Alessio Mereghetti
AU - Franco Mostardi
AU - Marco Pullia
AU - Sahar Ranjbar
AU - Roberto Sacchi
AU - Anna Vignati
AU - Magdalena Rafecas
AU - Veronica Ferrero
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/01
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-59468-w
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-59468-w
AB - The full potential of proton therapy is limited by uncertainties that prevent optimal dose distribution. Monitoring techniques can reduce these uncertainties and enable adaptive treatment planning. Spatiotemporal Emission Reconstruction from Prompt-Gamma Timing (SER-PGT) is a promising method that provides insights into both particle range and stopping power, the calculation of which normally requires knowledge about patient tissue properties that cannot be directly measured. We present the first experimental proof of principle obtained using a 226.9 MeV synchrotron-proton beam impinging on a homogeneous phantom at a subclinical intensity (2 - 4 × 10^7 pps). SER-PGT uses data from a multidetector setup: a thin and segmented Low Gain Avalanche Diode for proton detection and Lanthanum Bromide-based crystals for photon detection. The estimated stopping power profile showed an 8%± 3% average error compared with the NIST PSTAR values, and a 2%± 2% deviation relative to water at 100 MeV. Range assessment in a phantom with a 4 cm air gap successfully identified the range shift with a 3 mm standard deviation. For this proof-of-principle irradiation scenario, the experimental results demonstrate the recovery of both range and stopping power information through SER-PGT, particle kinematics and PGT measurements in a homogeneous target.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -