• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.81-98
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• 2020

This review aims to provide a brief, comprehensive overview of advanced technologies of nuclear medicine physics, with a focus on recent developments from both hardware and software perspectives. Developments in image acquisition/reconstruction, especially the time-of-flight and point spread function, have potential advantages in the image signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution. Modern detector materials and devices (including lutetium oxyorthosilicate, cadmium zinc tellurium, and silicon photomultiplier) as well as modern nuclear medicine imaging systems (including positron emission tomography [PET]/computerized tomography [CT], whole-body PET, PET/magnetic resonance [MR], and digital PET) enable not only high-quality digital image acquisition, but also subsequent image processing, including image reconstruction and post-reconstruction methods. Moreover, theranostics in nuclear medicine extend the usefulness of nuclear medicine physics far more than quantitative image-based diagnosis, playing a key role in personalized/precision medicine by raising the importance of internal radiation dosimetry in nuclear medicine. Now that deep-learning-based image processing can be incorporated in nuclear medicine image acquisition/processing, the aforementioned fields of nuclear medicine physics face the new era of Industry 4.0. Ongoing technological developments in nuclear medicine physics are leading to enhanced image quality and decreased radiation exposure as well as quantitative and personalized healthcare.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-25
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• 2023

In this paper, I briefly introduce recently terminated, current, and future scientific spacecraft missions for in situ and remote-sensing observations of Earth's and other planetary magnetospheres as of February 2023. The spacecraft introduced here are Geotail, Cluster, Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms / Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence, and Electrodynamics of the Moon's Interaction with the Sun (THEMIS / ARTEMIS), Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS), Exploration of energization and Radiation in Geospace (ERG), Cusp Plasma Imaging Detector (CuPID), and EQUilibriUm Lunar-Earth point 6U Spacecraft (EQUULEUS) for recently terminated or currently operated missions for Earth's magnetosphere; Lunar Environment Heliospheric X-ray Imager (LEXI), Gateway, Solar wind Magneto-sphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE), HelioSwarm, Solar-Terrestrial Observer for the Response of the Magnetosphere (STORM), Geostationary Transfer Orbit Satellite (GTOSat), GEOspace X-ray imager (GEO-X), Plasma Observatory, Magnetospheric Constellation (MagCon), self-Adaptive Magnetic reconnection Explorer (AME), and COnstellation of Radiation BElt Survey (CORBES) approved for launch or proposed for future missions for Earth's magnetosphere; BepiColombo for Mercury and Juno for Jupiter for current missions for planetary magnetospheres; Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) and Europa Clipper for Jupiter, Uranus Orbiter and Probe (UOP) for Uranus, and Neptune Odyssey for Neptune approved for launch or proposed for future missions for planetary magnetospheres. I discuss the recent trend and future direction of spacecraft missions as well as remaining challenges in magnetospheric research. I hope this paper will be a handy guide to the current status and trend of magnetospheric missions.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.1045-1051
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• 2023

In this study, we fabricated a liquid light-guide-based radiation sensor with a LaBr₃:Ce scintillator for remote gamma-ray spectroscopy. We acquired the energy spectra of Cs-137 and Co-60 using the proposed sensor, estimated the energy resolutions of the full energy peaks, and compared the scintillation light output variations. The major peaks of the radionuclides were observed in each result, and the estimated energy resolutions were similar to that of a general NaI(Tl) scintillation detector without a liquid light guide. Moreover, we showed the relationships of energy resolution and analog-to-digital channel regarding the number of photoelectrons produced and confirmed the effects of light guide length on remote gamma-ray spectroscopy. The proposed sensor is expected to be utilized to perform remote gamma-ray spectroscopy for distances of 3 m or more and would find application in many fields of nuclear facilities and industry.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2011

In this study, we evaluated the effect of grid size on dose calculation accuracy using 2 head & neck and 2 prostate IMRT cases and based on this study's findings, we also evaluated the efficiency of a 2D diode array detector for IMRT quality assurance. Dose distributions of four IMRT plan data were calculated at four calculation grid sizes (1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mm) and the calculated dose distributions were compared with measured dose distributions using 2D diode array detector. Although there was no obvious difference in pass rate of gamma analysis with 3 mm/3% acceptance criteria for the others except 10 mm grid size, we found that the pass rates of 2.5, 5 and 10 mm grid size were decreased 5%, 20% and 31.53% respectively according to the application of the fine acceptance criteria, 3 mm/3%, 2 mm/2% and 1 mm/1%. The calculation time were about 11.5 min, 4.77 min, 2.95 min, and 11.5 min at 1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mm, respectively and as the grid size increased to double, the calculation time decreased about one-half. The grid size effect was observed more clearly in the high gradient area than the low gradient area. In conclusion, 2.5 mm grid size is considered acceptable for most IMRT plans but at least in the high gradient area, 1.25 mm grid size is required to accurately predict the dose distribution. These results are exactly same as the precious studies' results and theory. So we confirmed that 2D array diode detector was suitable for the IMRT QA.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.37-40
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• 2009

In this study, we made a high efficiency x-ray detecting sensor using the lead oxide(PbO) that are used in direct method of x-ray detector. PbO with nano size particles is produced by sol-gel method for high efficiency. The produced PbO with nano size is deposited on ITO(Induim Tin Oxide) glass in several temperature using the PIB(particle-in-binder) method. The thickness of the deposited PbO is about $200{\mu}m$. Through the measurement of dark current, sensitivity and SNR(Signal To Noise Ratio), an electrical properties of the produced PbO film are analyzed. Therefore, we show that an electrical properties are changed according to a temperature and that the PbO film that was treated at $500^{\circ}C$ in O2 atmosphere is the most high efficiency x-ray detecting sensor.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.549-555
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• 2018

The medical imaging technique images the contrast formed based on the difference in absorption coefficient of X-rays which changes according to the composition and thickness of the object. At this time, not only primary rays entering the image detector but also scattered rays greatly affect the image quality. Therefore, in this paper, Forward scattering rate and Scattered to primary ratio analysis were performed through Monte Carlo simulation in order to consider influence of scattered ray generated according to object thickness and radiation exposure area change on image quality. In the study, the Forward scattering rate corresponding to the thickness of the object was analyzed at a maximum of 15.3%p and the Scattered to primary ratio was analyzed at 2.00 to 4.54, but it was analyzed as maintaining a constant value for radiation exposure area change. Based on these results, the thickness of the object should be considered as a factor influencing the quality of the image, but radiation exposure area verified that it is a factor that does not affect the image quality. We believe that the results of this research can be utilized as basic information of scattered radiation to improve image quality.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2018

This work reports the acceptance testing and commissioning experience of the Robotic Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) M6 system with a newly released $InCise^{TM}2$ Multileaf Collimator (MLC) installed at the Yonsei Cancer Center. Acceptance testing included a mechanical interdigitation test, leaf positional accuracy, leakage check, and End-to-End (E2E) tests. Beam data measurements included tissue-phantom ratios (TPRs), off-center ratios (OCRs), output factors collected at 11 field sizes (the smallest field size was $7.6mm{\times}7.7mm$ and largest field size was $115.0mm{\times}100.1mm$ at 800 mm source-to-axis distance), and open beam profiles. The beam model was verified by checking patient-specific quality assurance (QA) in four fiducial-inserted phantoms, using 10 intracranial and extracranial patient plans. All measurements for acceptance testing satisfied manufacturing specifications. Mean leaf position offsets using the Garden Fence test were found to be $0.01{\pm}0.06mm$ and $0.07{\pm}0.05mm$ for X1 and X2 leaf banks, respectively. Maximum and average leaf leakages were 0.20% and 0.18%, respectively. E2E tests for five tracking modes showed 0.26 mm (6D Skull), 0.3 mm (Fiducial), 0.26 mm (Xsight Spine), 0.62 mm (Xsight Lung), and 0.6 mm (Synchrony). TPRs, OCRs, output factors, and open beams measured under various conditions agreed with composite data provided from the manufacturer to within 2%. Patient-specific QA results were evaluated in two ways. Point dose measurements with an ion chamber were all within the 5% absolute-dose agreement, and relative-dose measurements using an array ion chamber detector all satisfied the 3%/3 mm gamma criterion for more than 90% of the measurement points. The Robotic IMRT M6 system equipped with the $InCise^{TM}2$ MLC was proven to be accurate and reliable.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.33-47
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• 1998

Using a combination of an X-ray generator Installed in radiation calibration laboratory of Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) and a series of 8 radiators and filters described in ISO-4037, monoenergetic fluorescent X-rays from 8.6 keV to 75 keV were produced. This fluorescent X-rays generated by primary X-rays from radiator were discriminated $K_{\beta}$ lines with the aid of filter material and the only $K_{\alpha}$ X-rays were analyzed with the high purity Ge detector and portable MCA. The air kerma rates were measured with the 35 co ionization chamber and compared with the calculational results, and the beam uniformity and the scattered effects of radiation fields were also measured. The beam purities were more than 90 % for the energy range of 8.6 keV to 75 keV and the air kerma rates were from 1.91 mGy/h (radiator : Au, filter : W) to 54.2 mGy (radiator : Mo, filter : Zr) at 43 cm from center of the radiator. The effective area of beam at the measurement point of air kerma rates was 12 cm ${\times}$ 12 cm and the influence of scattered radiation was less than 3 %. The fluorescent X-rays established in this study could be used for the determination of energy response of the radiation measurement devices and the personal dosemeters in low photon energy regions.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.251-261
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• 2023

Background: This paper deals with the study of natural radioactivity in rocks from Ogun State in Southwestern Nigeria. The aim is to determine radiation emissions from rocks in order to estimate radiation hazard indices. Objectives: The following objectives were targeted: 1. To determine radiation emissions from each type of rocks; 2. To estimate radiation hazard indices based on the rocks; 3. To correlate the activity concentrations of radionuclides with major oxides. Methods: The samples were analyzed using a NaI (Tl) gamma ray spectrometric detector and PerkinElmer AAnalyst 400 AAS spectrometer. Results: The activity of ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra, and ²³²Th were found in order of decreasing magnitude from pegmatite>granite>migmatite. In contrast, lower concentrations were found in shale, phosphate, clay stone, sandstone and limestone. The mean absorbed doses were 125±23 nGyh^-1 (migmatite), 74±13 nGy/h (granite), 72±13 nGyh^-1 (pegmatite), 64±09 nGyh^-1 (quartzite), 45±16 nGyh^-1 (shale), 41±09 nGyh^-1 (limestone), 41±11 nGyh^-1 (clay stone), 24±03 nGyh^-1 (phosphate), and 21±10 nGyh^-1 (sandstone). The outdoor effective dose rates in all rock samples were slightly higher than the world average dose value of 0.34 mSvy^-1. The percentage composition of SiO₂ in the rock samples was above 50 wt% except for in the limestone, shale and phosphate. Al₂O₃ ranged from 4.10~21.24 wt%, Fe₂O₃ from 0.39~7.5 wt%, and CaO from 0.09-46.6 wt%. In addition, Na₂O and K₂O were present in at least 5 wt%. Other major oxides, including TiO₂, P₂O₅, K₂O, MnO, MgO and Na₂O were depleted. Conclusions: The findings suggest that Ogun State may be described as a region with elevated background radiation. It is recommended that houses should be constructed with good cross ventilation and residences should use home radiation monitoring instruments to monitor radon emanating from walls.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.396-404
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• 2002

Purpose : Many papers support a correlation between rectal complications and rectal doses in uterine cervical cancer patients treated with radical radiotherapy. In vivo dosimetry in the rectum following the ICRU report 38 contributes to the quality assurance in HDR brachytherapy, especially in minimizing side effects. This study compares the rectal doses calculated in the radiation treatment planning system to that measured with a silicon diode the in vivo dosimetry system. Methods : Nine patients, with a uterine cervical carcinoma, treated with Iridium-192 high dose rate brachytherapy between June 2001 and Feb. 2002, were retrospectively analysed. Six to eight-fractions of high dose rate (HDR)-intracavitary radiotherapy (ICR) were delivered two times per week, with a total dose of $28\~32\;Gy$ to point A. In 44 applications, to the 9 patients, the measured rectal doses were analyzed and compared with the calculated rectal doses using the radiation treatment planning system. Using graphic approximation methods, in conjunction with localization radiographs, the expected dose values at the detector points of an intrarectal semiconductor dosimeter, were calculated. Results : There were significant differences between the calculated rectal doses, based on the simulation radiographs, and the calculated rectal doses, based on the radiographs in each fraction of the HDR ICR. Also, there were significant differences between the calculated and measured rectal doses based on the in-vivo diode dosimetry system. The rectal reference point on the anteroposterior line drawn through the lower end of the uterine sources, according to ICRU 38 report, received the maximum rectal doses in only 2 out of the nine patients $(22.2\%)$. Conclusion : In HDR ICR planning for conical cancer, optimization of the dose to the rectum by the computer-assisted planning system, using radiographs in simulation, is improper. This study showed that in vivo rectal dosimetry, using a diode detector during the HDR ICR, could have a useful role in quality control for HDR brachytherapy in cervical carcinomas. The importance of individual dosimeters for each HDR ICR is clear. In some departments that do not have the in vivo dosimetry system, the radiation oncologist has to find, from lateral fluoroscopic findings, the location of the rectal marker before each fractionated HDR brachytherapy, which is a necessary and important step of HDR brachytherapy for cervical cancer.