Alpha particle spectroscopy using FNTD and SIM super ‐resolution microscopy

Summary Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) for the imaging of alpha particle tracks in fluorescent nuclear track detectors (FNTD) was evaluated and compared to confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). FNTDs were irradiated with an external alpha source and imaged using both methodologies. SIM imaging resulted in improved resolution, without increase in scan time. Alpha particle energy estimation based on the track length, direction and intensity produced results in good agreement with the expected alpha particle energy distribution. A pronounced difference was seen in the spatial scattering of alpha particles in the detectors, where SIM showed an almost 50% reduction compared to CLSM. The improved resolution of SIM allows for more detailed studies of the tracks induced by ionising particles. The combination of SIM and FNTDs for alpha radiation paves the way for affordable and fast alpha spectroscopy and dosimetry. Lay description Alpha radiation therapy is a form of cancer treatment where alpha radiation, a heavy form of radiation, is used. This type of radiation therapy is becoming more popular, as it can be used as an alternative for treating tumours resistant to conventional radiation therapy. However, research on alpha radiation is severely hampered, because alpha particles can only travel very short distances before losing their energy (less than 100 micron in water). A new type of detector called the fluorescent nuclear track detector (FNTD) is able to measure ...
Source: Journal of Microscopy - Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research