A detailed analysis is presented of the diffractive deep-inelastic scattering process ep → eXY , where Y is a proton or a low mass proton excitation carrying a fraction 1−x I P > 0.95 of the incident proton longitudinal momentum and the squared four-momentum transfer at the proton vertex satisfies |t| < 1 GeV 2 . Using data taken by the H1 experiment, the cross section is measured for photon virtualities in the range 3.5 ≤ Q 2 ≤ 1600 GeV 2 , triple differentially in x I P , Q 2 and β = x/x I P , where x is the Bjorken scaling variable. At low x I P , the data are consistent with a factorisable x I P dependence, which can be described by the exchange of an effective pomeron trajectory with intercept α IP (0) = 1.118 ± 0.008 (exp.) +0.029 −0.010 (model). Diffractive parton distribution functions and their uncertainties are determined from a next-to-leading order DGLAP QCD analysis of the Q 2 and β dependences of the cross section. The resulting gluon distribution carries an integrated fraction of around 70% of the exchanged momentum in the Q 2 range studied. Total and differential cross sections are also measured for the diffractive charged current process e + p →ν e XY and are found to be well described by predictions based on the diffractive parton distributions. The ratio of the diffractive to the inclusive neutral current ep cross sections is studied. Over most of the kinematic range, this ratio shows no significant dependence on Q 2 at fixed x I P and x or on x at fixed Q 2 and β.

A measurement of charm and beauty dijet photoproduction cross sections at the ep collider HERA is presented. Events are selected with two or more jets of transverse momentum p jet 1(2) t > 11(8) GeV in the central range of pseudo-rapidity −0.9 < η jet 1(2) < 1.3. The fractions of events containing charm and beauty quarks are determined using a method based on the impact parameter, in the transverse plane, of tracks to the primary vertex, as measured by the H1 central vertex detector. Differential dijet cross sections for charm and beauty, and their relative contributions to the flavour inclusive dijet photoproduction cross section, are measured as a function of the transverse momentum of the leading jet, the average pseudo-rapidity of the two jets and the observable x obs γ . Taking into account the theoretical uncertainties, the charm cross sections are consistent with a QCD calculation in next-to-leading order, while the predicted cross sections for beauty production are somewhat lower than the measurement.

Radiotherapy today employs complex techniques in order to achieve the best possible conformity of the delivered dose to the target volume. When using dynamic dose delivery techniques, it is especially important to verify the delivered dose at as many representative points as possible. As a continuous medium, Gafchromic EBT film offers an excellent spatial resolution which, together with improvements in sensitivity as compared to older types of radiochromic films, make it a promising candidate for this purpose. In this paper we investigated whether EBT films can be used for quantitative dosimetry in photon beams. There are many publications which discuss different aspects of the EBT film dosimetry. Unfortunately, they differ in the used protocols, scanning devices and variables used for the film darkening quantification which makes the sources of uncertainties difficult to compare. Therefore, the overall accuracy and reproducibility of the results which can be reached with Gafchromic EBT films in combination with a commercial flatbed scanner was investigated. Both the film properties and the influence of the readout system were analysed and compared. The total uncertainty in the net optical density determination due to the studied effects was estimated to be 1.6% at 0.3 Gy and 0.8% at 1 Gy for 60Co photons. Based on this analysis of uncertainties, the handling and scanning protocol was optimized and methods to reduce the influence of some of the uncertainties were proposed. Although Gafchromic EBT films have significant advantages, there are certain effects which have to be considered in order to achieve 5% accuracy in the dose delivered to a patient.

No abstract

The cross section for the diffractive deep-inelastic scattering process ep → eXp is measured, with the leading final state proton detected in the H1 Forward Proton Spectrometer. The data analysed cover the range x IP < 0.1 in fractional proton longitudinal momentum loss, 0.08 < |t| < 0.5 GeV −2 in squared four-momentum transfer at the proton vertex, 2 < Q 2 < 50 GeV 2 in photon virtuality and 0.004 < β = x/x IP < 1, where x is the Bjorken scaling variable. For x IP < ∼ 10 −2 , the differential cross section has a dependence of approximately dσ/dt ∝ e 6t , independently of x IP , β and Q 2 within uncertainties. The cross section is also measured triple differentially in x IP , β and Q 2 . The x IP dependence is interpreted in terms of an effective pomeron trajectory with intercept α IP (0) = 1.114±0.018 (stat.)±0.012 (syst.) +0.040 −0.020 (model) and a sub-leading exchange. The data are in good agreement with an H1 measurement for which the event selection is based on a large gap in the rapidity distribution of the final state hadrons, after accounting for proton dissociation contributions in the latter. Within uncertainties, the dependence of the cross section on x and Q 2 can thus be factorised from the dependences on all studied variables which characterise the proton vertex, for both the pomeron and the sub-leading exchange.

EBT2 films from the lot investigated in this study show response inhomogeneities, which lead to uncertainties in dose determination exceeding the commonly accepted tolerance levels. It is important to test further EBT2 lots regarding homogeneity before using the film in clinical routine.

Measurements are presented of differential dijet cross sections in diffractive photoproduction (É ¾ ¼ ¼½ GeV ¾ ) and deep-inelastic scattering processes (DIS,The event topology is given by Ô , in which the system , containing at least two jets, is separated from a leading low-mass proton remnant system by a large rapidity gap. The dijet cross sections are compared with NLO QCD predictions based on diffractive parton densities previously obtained from a QCD analysis of inclusive diffractive DIS cross sections by H1. In DIS, the dijet data are well described, supporting the validity of QCD factorisation. The diffractive DIS dijet data are more sensitive to the diffractive gluon density at high fractional parton momentum than the measurements of inclusive diffractive DIS. In photoproduction, the predicted dijet cross section has to be multiplied by a factor of approximately ¼ for both direct and resolved photon interactions to describe the measurements. The ratio of measured dijet cross section to NLO prediction in photoproduction is a factor ¼ ¦ ¼ ½ smaller than the same ratio in DIS. This suppression is the first clear observation of QCD hard scattering factorisation breaking at HERA. The measurements are also compared to the two soft colour neutralisation models SCI and GAL. The SCI model describes diffractive dijet production in DIS but not in photoproduction. The GAL model fails in both kinematic regions.

Radiotherapy with narrow scanned carbon ion beams enables a highly accurate treatment of tumours while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue. Changes in the patient's geometry can alter the actual ion range in tissue and result in unfavourable changes in the dose distribution. Consequently, it is desired to verify the actual beam delivery within the patient. Real-time and non-invasive measurement methods are preferable. Currently, the only technically feasible method to monitor the delivered dose distribution within the patient is based on tissue activation measurements by means of positron emission tomography (PET). An alternative monitoring method based on tracking of prompt secondary ions leaving a patient irradiated with carbon ion beams has been previously suggested. It is expected to help in overcoming the limitations of the PET-based technique like physiological washout of the beam induced activity, low signal and to allow for real-time measurements. In this paper, measurements of secondary charged particle tracks around a head-sized homogeneous PMMA phantom irradiated with pencil-like carbon ion beams are presented. The investigated energies and beam widths are within the therapeutically used range. The aim of the study is to deduce properties of the primary beam from the distribution of the secondary charged particles. Experiments were performed at the Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center, Germany. The directions of secondary charged particles emerging from the PMMA phantom were measured using an arrangement of two parallel pixelated silicon detectors (Timepix). The distribution of the registered particle tracks was analysed to deduce its dependence on clinically important beam parameters: beam range, width and position. Distinct dependencies of the secondary particle tracks on the properties of the primary carbon ion beam were observed. In the particular experimental set-up used, beam range differences of 1.3 mm were detectable. In addition, variations in the beam width could be measured with a precision of 0.9 mm. Furthermore, shifts of the lateral beam position could be monitored with a sub-millimetre precision. The presented investigations demonstrate experimentally that the non-invasive measurement and analysis of secondary ion distributions around head-sized homogeneous objects provide information on the actual beam delivery. Beam range, width and position could be monitored with a precision attractive for therapeutic situations.