Headlines 2008
W. Boutu1, S. Haessler1, H. Merdji1, P. Breger1, G. Waters2, M. Stankiewicz3, L. J. Frasinski4, R. Taieb5,6, J. Caillat5,6, A. Maquet5,6, P. Monchicourt1, B. Carre1 and P. Salieres1
2. J.J. Thomson Physical Laboratory, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AF, UK
3. Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, ul. Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
4. The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BW, UK
5. UPMC Univ Paris VI, UMR 7614, Lab. de Chimie Physique-Matière et Rayonnement, 11 rue P. et M. Curie, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France
6. CNRS, UMR 7614, LCPMR F-75005 Paris, France
Highlight in Physicsworld.com (2008 September, 19th)
Researchers from Italy, France and Germany have shown that a tabletop laser can be used to accelerate a beam of electrons suitable for use in radiotherapy. The group, led by Antonio Giulietti of the Institute for Physical Chemistry Processes in Pisa, believes that such laser-based particle acceleration could considerably reduce the size and simplify the operation of radiotherapy facilities.
In radiotherapy beams of photons, electrons, protons, neutrons or ions are used to destroy tumours by ionizing the atoms within the tumours’ DNA. Usually this involves irradiating the patient from a number of different directions in order to pinpoint the tumour, and in the case of deep tumours, using higher-energy particles. This inevitably leads to some damage of the healthy tissue surrounding the tumour.
