WP4 Meeting with the Project Office

02 September 2021

Timeline for Project:

2 yr design and simulate for LhARA stage 1: 12MeV in – vitro expts. Standard dish puts bragg peak in cell layer – hence 15MeV target to give ‘headroom’

5 yr build for LhARA stage 1. in – vitro expts by biologists proof of principal. Clinical system is longer term. 5+ yrs

TPrice

• the 36MeV system in Birmingham produces tracks with bragg peak at approx – 13mm of water.
• 12-15MeV tracks will be shorter ~few mm in water.

How could one resolve the peak in such a short track?

• Requires high resolution –which in turn requires high frequencies.
• Requires different sensors from higher energy system.

From this we conclude

• Lots of challenges for a low energy system.
• Low energy test does not de-risk the high energy system.

What spatial resolution does the map need to be useful to biologists – Action CW: to contact JP to ask.

Does the photoacoustic system with high resolution offer advantages for ‘mini-beam’?

Discussion surrounding alternative to BHam and Cern sources @ intermediate energy.

• Medical places are usually 100’s MeV and long pulse.
• TPrice Daresury AVO. 4 stage project – could have been within 2 years – short sharp pulses. Action TP to contact AVO
• Surrey synchrotron – low energy.
• 60MeV Clatterbridge. 30mm penetration.
• Clinical centres struggle to get below 70MeV with cyclotrons and dose rate is low.
• Conclude there are no alternatives – apparently LhARA will indeed be unique.

Group concludes:

2 activities are required

1. LhARA consortium proves it has capability to detect a signal – can use any source. This is not a world first, but necessary.
2. 12-15MeV system design – LhARA phase 1 needs a diagnostic Phase 1 will run for 5-10 years

Should simulate beams at low energies. Action KL: to adjust C++ code Mechanics of system are also a subject for discussion.