Dosimetric and temporal beam characterization of individual pulses in FLASH radiotherapy using Timepix3 pixelated detector placed out-of-field

Background FLASH radiotherapy necessitates the development of advanced Quality Assurance methods and detectors for accurate monitoring of the radiation field. This study introduces enhanced time-resolution detection systems and methods used to measure the delivered number of pulses, investigate temporal structure of individual pulses and dose-per-pulse (DPP) based on secondary radiation particles produced in the experimental room. Methods A 20 MeV electron beam generated from a linear accelerator (LINAC) was delivered to a water phantom. Ultra-high dose-per-pulse electron beams were used with a dose-per-pulse ranging from 1 Gy to over 7 Gy. The pulse lengths ranged from 1.18 mu s to 2.88 mu s at a pulse rate frequency of 5 Hz. A semiconductor pixel detector Timepix3 was used to track single secondary particles. Measurements were performed in the air, while the detector was positioned out-of-field at a lateral distance of 200 cm parallel with the LINAC exit window. The dose deposited was measured along with the pulse length and the nanostructure of the pulse. Results The time of arrival (ToA) of single particles was measured with a resolution of 1.56 ns, while the deposited energy was measured with a resolution of several keV based on the Time over Threshold (ToT) value. The pulse count measured by the Timepix3 detector corresponded with the delivered values, which were measured using an in-flange integrating current transformer (ICT). A linear response (R-2 = 0.999) was established between the delivered beam current and the measured dose at the detector position (orders of nGy). The difference between the average measured and delivered pulse length was similar to 0.003(30) mu s. Conclusion This simple non-invasive method exhibits no limitations on the delivered DPP within the range used during this investigation.