WP1: Gas detectors

Leader: AIT - Austrian Institute of Technology

Objectives

Development and performance test of instrumentation based on gas detectors for measuring energy distributions and dosimetric quantities in complex radiation fields and in monoenergetic particle beams used in cancer therapy.

Description of work

Study and development of the GEM detector technology for neutron spectrometry, dosimetry and microdosimetry; characterization and calibration of a TEPC to determine absorbed dose and dose equivalent in complex radiation fields; study of a miniaturized version of a TEPC for use in cancer radiation therapy; study and construction of neutron detectors based on proportional counters for operation in mixed and pulsed radiation fields; use of Monte Carlo simulation codes to study detector response.

WP2: Solid state detectors

Leader: CTU - Czech Technical University in Prague

Objectives

Development and performance test of instrumentation based on solid state detectors for measuring energy distributions and dosimetric quantities in complex radiation fields and in monoenergetic particle beams used in cancer therapy.

Description of work

Study and development of the Medipix technology for neutron spectrometry, dosimetry and for characterising therapeutic ion beams at hadron-therapy facilities; development of a universal portable mixed-field radiation detector for environmental monitoring based on Medipix; development of an educational tool based on USB-Lite Medipix/Timepix; optimization and improvement of Medipix data evaluation procedures; adaptation of a single photon detection system for QA of radiological imaging systems; development of Medipix-based active personal dosimeter; development of silicon detectors and instrumentation for microdosimetry; use of Monte Carlo simulation codes to study detector response.

WP3: Track detectors

Leader: POLIMI - Politecnico di Milano

Objectives

Development and performance test of instrumentation based on track detectors for measuring energy distributions and dosimetric quantities in complex radiation fields.

Description of work

Feasibility study of a nanodosimeter to measure particular properties of particle track structure; study of CR39 nuclear track detectors as neutron spectrometers and LET spectrometers; use of Monte Carlo simulation codes to study detector response.

WP4: Instrument intercomparison

Leader: CERN - European Organization for Nuclear Research

Objectives

Intercomparison of instrumentation in reference radiation fields.

Description of work

As a transnational experimental activity, one or more measurement campaigns will be organized to inter-compare the instruments developed in the framework of ARDENT. One or more of the following experiments will be selected according to the development of the project:

  1. instrument response to clinical proton beams,
  2. dosimetric and microdosimetry measurements with carbon ions,
  3. measurements with quasi-monoenergetic neutrons,
  4. instrument response to a high-energy mixed radiation field.

WP5: Network-wide training

Leader: IBA Dosimetry GmbH

Objectives

Annual meetings where all ESRs and their supervisors gather together to update on the progress made at each institution and exchange information. A training course on individual topics (e.g. solid state detectors, gas detectors, dosimetry, micro-dosimetry) will be held in conjunction with each meeting, with lectures delivered by world-renowned experts.

Main training events and conferences planned:

Type Lead institution / location Deliverables Participants Month
WS, NM AIT / Vienna 1st Workshop and training course All 10
WS, NM POLIMI / Milano 2nd Workshop and training course All 22
WS, NM IBA / Schwarzenbruck 3rd Workshop and training course All 34
WS, NM CTU / Prague 4th Workshop and training course All 46

WS = Workshop, NM = network and research node meetings

WP6: Dissemination and Outreach

Leader: Jablotron Alarms a.s.

Objectives

A multifaceted set of outreach activities are planned in order to engage with the general public and young people in particular. In addition there will be activities aiming at increasing the interest of the young generation in scientific and research careers..

Description of work

The activities planned within the ITN are described in the outreach page. Main deliverables are: educational material, this web-site with information on the project and its results, articles for non-scientific journals, for the CERN Weekly Bulletin and CERN Courier, presentation of the activities of the ARDENT ITN project at the 150th anniversary of the Politecnico di Milano.

WP7: Management

Leader: CERN - European Organization for Nuclear Research

For objectives and description of work see the organization page.