Laser-plasma generated very high energy electrons (VHEEs) in radiotherapy

Kokurewicz, K. and Welsh, G. H. and Brunetti, E. and Wiggins, S. M. and Boyd, M. and Sorensen, A. and Chalmers, A. and Schettino, G. and Subiel, A. and DesRosiers, C. and Jaroszynski, D. A. (2017) Laser-plasma generated very high energy electrons (VHEEs) in radiotherapy. Proceedings of SPIE, 10239. 102390C. ISSN 0277-786X (https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2271183)

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Abstract

As an alternative modality to conventional radiotherapy, electrons with energies above 50 MeV penetrate deeply into tissue, where the dose can be absorbed within a tumour volume with a relatively small penumbra. We investigate the physical properties of VHEEs and review the state-of-the-art in treatment planning and dosimetry. We discuss the advantages of using a laser wakefeld accelerator (LWFA) and present the characteristic features of the electron bunch produced by the LWFA and compare them with that from a conventional linear accelerator.

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