Cherenkov Emission Imaging And Spectroscopy Utilizing Isotopes And A Linear Accelerator

There are linear accelerators (LINACs) employed in radiation oncology that produce radiation in pulsed microseconds-long bursts, generated by the accelerator waveguide. By taking advantage of a LINAC’s inherent pulsed operation, time-gated detection of Cherenkov radiation is possible, significantly improving the ratio of signal to ambient light. Recently, a research group at Dartmouth College and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire led by Dr. Brian Pogue has investigated fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy methods using pulsed LINAC-induced CES2, under ambient room lighting conditions. An overview of some of their work is provided in this application note.