Development of a procedure for quenching-effect correction in images of absorbed dose from protons or carbon ions acquired with Gafchromic EBT3 films

Measurements aimed at investigating the quenching of sensitivity of Gafchromic EBT3 films irradiated with charged particles at radiotherapy energy levels have been carried out. Films have been irradiated with beams of protons and carbon ions of interest for Hadron Therapy. The broadening of pencil beams in water phantom as a function of initial energy has been studied and the quenching of EBT3 film sensitivity has been quantified. A procedure for correcting the dose images obtained by means of EBT3 films has been improved and its application to an irradiation test has show the validity of the proposed methodology.