Particle tracking for hadron therapy with plasma panel sensors: A Monte Carlo simulation study

Abstract

Particle tracking technology is currently being explored with Monte Carlo simulation studies as well as first experimental prototypes as a method to improve the planning and delivery accuracy of hadron therapy. Advanced particle tracking technology is required to provide large-area detectors capable of single-particle registration at high data rates for applications such as particle imaging and pencil beam monitoring. One such candidate large-area particle tracking detector is based on plasma panel sensors (PPS). The PPS is an inherently digital, high gain, novel variant of micropattern gas detectors inspired by many operational and fabrication principles common to plasma display panels (i.e. plasma-TV's). The initial results of a simulation study of a realistic PPS telescope design shows that this technology is comparable to, or better than, existing silicon sensors in terms of both particle energy loss through the detector and spatial resolution for particle imaging. Further improvement of the track reconstruction accuracy is possible by reducing the PPS substrate thickness. Fabrication of the simulated PPS telescope is currently underway including thinner devices than those simulated.