Comparing Measured and Simulated Prompt Gamma Cross-Section Data for Carbon Target Using AFRODITE Clover Detector System

Proton therapy has become a most popular in radiation oncology due the superior dose distribution of proton beam. However, the advantage of proton therapy cannot be fully utilized without proper measurement of in-patient proton dose. Currently, no clinically applicable method is available. Detecting secondary gammas has been proposed as a potential method to measure in-patient proton dose since treatment protons stop within the patient as they deliver the dose. One possibility is the development of an imaging device to measure the scattered gamma-rays produced during a proton therapy treatment. During the design of this imaging device, Monte Carlo simulations have been performed to understand the production of these secondary (prompt) gamma-rays, particularly from tissue. Discrepancies have been reported in the Geant4 prompt gamma production specifically in the most prominent elements (¹²C and ¹⁶O) of tissue. The goal of this study is to compare the measured and simulated prompt gamma cross section of 4.438 MeV of ¹²C over the proton energy range of 80 – 125 MeV using Geant4 AFRODITE model.