Publications and research outputs

Our research combines radiation-transport modelling, dosimetry and experimental measurements to investigate new approaches for controlling and enhancing the delivery of radiation dose in radiotherapy.

Dose-enhancement techniques use high atomic-number materials to increase local energy deposition from X-rays. Our research investigates how radiation energy and material concentration affect this enhancement, using Monte Carlo modelling alongside experimental measurements.

Experimental benchmarking of Monte Carlo simulations for radiotherapy dosimetry using monochromatic X-ray beams in the presence of metal-based compounds
J. Spiga, P. Pellicioli, S.P. Manger, J.A. Duffy and A. Bravin. Physica Medica, 2019, 66, 45–54.

Uses Monte Carlo simulations to show how the local dose deposition in X-ray radiotherapy can be increased by the presence of high-atomic-number compounds. The enhancement can be improved if the radiation energy is chosen in the proximity of the absorption edge. Foundational work by a current ARAMP researcher.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2019.09.075

Our research develops portable imaging systems and new methods of acquisition, display and analysis to reveal more information from gamma rays and hard X-rays in medicine, nuclear science and industry.

Gamma-optical video imaging aligns gamma-ray measurements with a live optical view, showing where radioactive activity is located, how it is distributed and how it changes over time.

Stereoscopic portable hybrid gamma imaging for source depth estimation
S.L. Bugby, J.E. Lees, W.K. McKnight and N.S. Dawood. Physics in Medicine & Biology, 2021, 66(4), 045031.

Develops and validates a portable stereoscopic gamma-imaging method for estimating the position and depth of radioactive sources without external positional tracking.
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/abd955

A hybrid camera for locating sources of gamma radiation in the environment
J.E. Lees, S.L. Bugby, A.P. Bark, D.J. Bassford, P.E. Blackshaw and A.C. Perkins. Journal of Instrumentation, 2013, 8(10), P10021.

Demonstrates a portable hybrid gamma-optical camera for locating radioactive sources and supporting environmental surveying, monitoring and clean-up. Foundational work by a current ARAMP researcher.
DOI: 10.1088/1748-0221/8/10/P10021

Portable gamma cameras can bring nuclear-medicine imaging to patients and clinical settings where conventional room-sized systems are impractical. Our research investigates where these compact systems offer genuine clinical value and how their performance and images can best support diagnosis, treatment and clinical decision-making.

Seracam: characterisation of a new small field of view hybrid gamma camera for nuclear medicine
S.L. Bugby, A.L. Farnworth, W.R. Brooks and A.C. Perkins. EJNMMI Physics, 2024, 11, article 57.

Characterises the performance of the portable Seracam system and evaluates its suitability for small-organ nuclear-medicine applications, including thyroid and gastric imaging.
DOI: 10.1186/s40658-024-00659-7

Intraoperative Gamma Cameras: A Review of Development in the Last Decade and Future Outlook
A.L. Farnworth and S.L. Bugby. Journal of Imaging, 2023, 9(5), 102.

Reviews recent developments in intraoperative gamma cameras and identifies emerging technical requirements and future research directions.
DOI: 10.3390/jimaging9050102

Our research investigates new detector materials and technologies, and methods for improving how radiation interactions are measured and interpreted.

High atomic-number semiconductor materials are efficient absorbers of X-rays and gamma rays. Our research investigates the properties of materials such as CdZnTe and explores their performance as radiation detectors

Characterisation of the role of X-ray energy and temperature on the excess-leakage-current effect in HF-CdZnTe
B.D. Cline, D. Banks, M. Bishop, A. Davis, J. Harris, M. Hart, S. Knowles, T. Nicholls, J. Nobes, S. Pradeep, M. Roberts, M.C. Veale, M.D. Wilson, W. Helsby and P. Busca. Journal of Instrumentation, 2026, 21, P08010.

Investigates the 'excess leakage current' seen in high flux CdZnTe to provide insight into the charge-trapping mechanisms that contribute to detector performance under intense irradiation.
DOI: 10.1088/1748-0221/21/08/P08010

We use alpha spectroscopy to measure how efficiently the materials transport electrical charge, and show that high-flux CdZnTe offers improved behaviour under intense radiation
DOI: 10.1088/1748-0221/20/09/P09009

When charge generated by a single radiation interaction is collected across neighbouring pixels, it can distort both the measured energy and position of the event. Our research investigates these effects and develops methods to recover information that would otherwise be lost.

Investigates how charge transport and interaction depth influence the number and type of charge sharing events and amount of charge loss.
DOI: 10.3390/s21093260

Energy-loss correction in charge sharing events for improved performance of pixellated compound semiconductors
S.L. Bugby, K.A. Koch-Mehrin, M.C. Veale, M.D. Wilson and J.E. Lees. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 2019, 940, 142-151.

Develops an energy-reconstruction method that corrects for charge lost when energy is deposited across two pixels, improving the spectral performance of pixelated compound-semiconductor detectors.
DOI: 10.1016/j.nima.2019.06.017