Graduate Researcher: Leah Turner

Summary: In clinical radiation therapy, complex treatment plans are validated using phantoms that contain diode arrays, ion chambers, and other dosimeters. A 3D dose distribution measured by these tools is compared to the intended treatment plan and it is determined whether the radiation delivery machine is able to reliably deliver the plan.

Small animal irradiators are cabinet-type x-ray tubes that operate in the orthovoltage range and are able to deliver complex treatment plans to mice and rats. These animals are used in preclinical radiation therapy trials and for other research purposes. Treatment plans using small animal irradiators are becoming increasingly more complex, similar to those used in human radiotherapy. Thus, a tool to measure 3D dose distributions delivered by a small animal irradiator is necessary to ensure accurate dose delivery during small animal treatments.