High-count-rate particle tracking in proton and carbon radiotherapy with Timepix2 operated in ultra-short acquisition time

This study evaluates the operational limits of Timepix2 and Timepix3 pixel detectors under high particle flux conditions using alpha particles, protons, and carbon ions. It demonstrates that Timepix2, with customized calibration (Ikrum = 30, THL = 10 keV), enables single-particle tracking at fluxes up to 10⁹ particles/cm²/s with acquisition times as short as 100 ns, preserving spectral accuracy. This contrasts with Timepix3, which loses charge information below 100 µs. The results support Timepix2’s applicability in clinical beam environments for proton and carbon ion radiotherapy without reducing beam current.

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