Vascelli, Francesco
(2023)
Study of the impact of out-of-target fragmentation in cross section measurements with the FOOT experiment.
[Laurea magistrale], Università di Bologna, Corso di Studio in
Physics [LM-DM270]
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Abstract
Hadrontherapy is an innovative cancer treatment technique that utilizes beams of charged
particles, specifically protons and heavier ions, to target tumors deep within the body.
These particles have a unique depth-dose distribution in tissue, with low doses at the
entry point and a sharp peak of maximum dose (Bragg peak) near the end
of their path. This makes them effective at targeting tumors while minimizing damage
to surrounding healthy tissues. Carbon and oxygen ions, in particular, have been found
to have an enhanced biological effect, making them useful for treating tumors. However, it is important to consider nuclear interactions in these treatments. As beam particles travel through the body, they can fragment and release
dose beyond the Bragg peak. Additionally, fragments of nuclei present in the human
body can modify the dose released in healthy tissues. The lack of comprehensive data on
cross sections makes it difficult to predict the effects of these interactions. To fill these
gaps in experimental data, the FOOT experiment has been designed to detect, track
and identify charged fragments produced in ion collisions with different targets. Its final
goal is to measure double differential cross sections both in angle and kinetic energy with
an uncertainty lower than 5%. However, cross section measurements can be spoiled by
out-of-target fragmentations that could occur anywhere along the experimental apparatus, such as in the detectors’ planes or in the air surrounding them. In this thesis, a
straightforward algorithm for event classification, based on the zone of fragmentation,
is presented and studied. First, the accuracy of the classification is analyzed to ensure
the proper functioning of the algorithm. Then, the effectiveness of a selection on events,
based on the classification algorithm, is evaluated through the study of reconstructed
tracks. To do so, a sample of simulated data of oxygen at 400 MeV/n impinging on a target
of graphite is employed.
Abstract
Hadrontherapy is an innovative cancer treatment technique that utilizes beams of charged
particles, specifically protons and heavier ions, to target tumors deep within the body.
These particles have a unique depth-dose distribution in tissue, with low doses at the
entry point and a sharp peak of maximum dose (Bragg peak) near the end
of their path. This makes them effective at targeting tumors while minimizing damage
to surrounding healthy tissues. Carbon and oxygen ions, in particular, have been found
to have an enhanced biological effect, making them useful for treating tumors. However, it is important to consider nuclear interactions in these treatments. As beam particles travel through the body, they can fragment and release
dose beyond the Bragg peak. Additionally, fragments of nuclei present in the human
body can modify the dose released in healthy tissues. The lack of comprehensive data on
cross sections makes it difficult to predict the effects of these interactions. To fill these
gaps in experimental data, the FOOT experiment has been designed to detect, track
and identify charged fragments produced in ion collisions with different targets. Its final
goal is to measure double differential cross sections both in angle and kinetic energy with
an uncertainty lower than 5%. However, cross section measurements can be spoiled by
out-of-target fragmentations that could occur anywhere along the experimental apparatus, such as in the detectors’ planes or in the air surrounding them. In this thesis, a
straightforward algorithm for event classification, based on the zone of fragmentation,
is presented and studied. First, the accuracy of the classification is analyzed to ensure
the proper functioning of the algorithm. Then, the effectiveness of a selection on events,
based on the classification algorithm, is evaluated through the study of reconstructed
tracks. To do so, a sample of simulated data of oxygen at 400 MeV/n impinging on a target
of graphite is employed.
Tipologia del documento
Tesi di laurea
(Laurea magistrale)
Autore della tesi
Vascelli, Francesco
Relatore della tesi
Correlatore della tesi
Scuola
Corso di studio
Indirizzo
NUCLEAR AND SUBNUCLEAR PHYSICS
Ordinamento Cds
DM270
Parole chiave
hadrontherapy,nuclear cross section,FOOT,nuclear fragmentation
Data di discussione della Tesi
31 Marzo 2023
URI
Altri metadati
Tipologia del documento
Tesi di laurea
(NON SPECIFICATO)
Autore della tesi
Vascelli, Francesco
Relatore della tesi
Correlatore della tesi
Scuola
Corso di studio
Indirizzo
NUCLEAR AND SUBNUCLEAR PHYSICS
Ordinamento Cds
DM270
Parole chiave
hadrontherapy,nuclear cross section,FOOT,nuclear fragmentation
Data di discussione della Tesi
31 Marzo 2023
URI
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