Nanodosimetry

Nanodosimetry is a specialized field within radiation physics that focuses on measuring and characterizing the interactions of ionizing radiation at the nanometer scale. It aims to understand the spatial and temporal distribution of energy depositions within biological structures, particularly DNA and other cellular components, which are typically comparable in size to nanometric dimensions.

Traditional dosimetry techniques quantify radiation dose at macroscopic or microscopic levels but lack the resolution to accurately analyze interactions at the cellular or subcellular level. Nanodosimetry addresses this gap by utilizing advanced experimental methods, such as specialized ionization chambers, gas-based nanodot detectors, and computational models to investigate the stochastic nature of energy depositions caused by radiation particles like protons, heavy ions, and alpha particles.

The core principle of nanodosimetry involves measuring the number, size, and distribution of ionization clusters generated in nanometric sensitive volumes. These measurements help assess the biological effectiveness of different radiation types, as the biological damage often depends on the initial physical interactions at the nanometer scale. Nanodosimetric data are crucial for improving radiotherapy treatments, radiation protection, and understanding radiation-induced carcinogenesis.

Ongoing research in nanodosimetry aims to develop more precise detection techniques and sophisticated simulation tools, including Monte Carlo models, to better predict radiation effects at the cellular level. As this field advances, it holds promise for enhancing personalized medicine approaches and developing safer exposure standards in environments with ionizing radiation.