Quasar gives invited talk at IOP workshop on accelerator technology for particle therapy
The Institute of Physics (IOP) organised a workshop on accelerator technology for particle therapy on 7-8 December 2020. QUASAR Group member Dr Hao Zhang was invited to give a talk on “Proton beam diagnostics”. In his talk, he gave an overview of conventional diagnostics used for proton and ion beam therapy at medical facilities. He also discussed the current R&D programme in the QUASAR Group and around the world into new technologies that might help further improve this advanced treatment modality. This included the use of the VELO detector as an online beam monitor as pioneered within the OMA project, as well as ideas to use gas jet based beam monitor for non-invasive beam and dose monitoring.
The workshop aimed at bringing together leaders in the fields of particle therapy and accelerator science and encourage an interdisciplinary dialogue about emerging technologies and treatment techniques for treatment of cancer with the help of particle accelerators.
The use of proton beam radiotherapy for localized cancer treatment is a fast-growing field. Compared with conventional X-ray based treatment techniques, proton beam therapy features a better dose distribution within the patient and thus a reduction in radiation-related toxicities.
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) recently opened a proton beam treatment centre at The Christie Hospital in Manchester and is planning to open another one at University College Hospital in London in 2021.
This workshop discussed technologies and techniques that can help reduce the total cost of such facilities, whilst at the same time improving the efficiency of particle beam therapy.
More details about the event and details about all contributions can be found at:
https://www.iopconferences.org/iop/frontend/reg/thome.csp?pageID=988134&eventID=1575