Medical applications with electron beam generated by laser plasma accelerators

  • Victor Malka
  • , Jérôme Faure
  • , Yannick Glinec
  • , Clément Rechatin
  • , Thomas Fuchs
  • , Uwe Oelfke
  • , Hannitra Szymanowski

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Laser plasma accelerators provide electron beams with parameters of interest in many fields and in particular for radiotherapy. A short review of progress achieved recently will be presented. We have performed dose deposition simulations using a quasi-monoenergetic electron beam in the 200 MeV range as produced today with laser-plasma accelerators. The electron beam properties offer advantageous dosimetric characteristics compare to those calculated with conventional radiotherapy with high energy photons. The lateral penumbra of treatment fields for focused electron beams is smaller compared to 6 MeV photons at depths smaller than 10 cm. The depth dose curve shows a broad maximum at large depths (> 20 cm). These advantages result in an improvement of the quality of a clinically approved prostate treatment plan. While the target coverage is the same or even slightly better for 250 MeV electrons compared to photons the dose sparing of sensitive structures is improved. More precisely, the dose to the rectum is reduced by 19% for 250 MeV, focused electrons. These findings agree with previous results regarding very high energy electrons as a treatment modality.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCommercial and Biomedical Applications of Ultrafast Lasers VIII
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Mar 2008
EventCommercial and Biomedical Applications of Ultrafast Lasers VIII - San Jose, CA, United States
Duration: 20 Jan 200823 Jan 2008

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume6881
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceCommercial and Biomedical Applications of Ultrafast Lasers VIII
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Jose, CA
Period20/01/0823/01/08

Keywords

  • Electron beam
  • Laser plasma accelerators
  • Radiotherapy

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