Charged charmonium molecules

We make use of a self-consistent quark-model based study of four-quark charmonium-like states to interpret recent charmonium experimental data. We conclude that there exists a ${D}^{*}{\overline{D}}^{*}$ meson-meson molecule with quantum numbers $({I}^{G}){J}^{PC}=({1}^{\ensuremath{-}}){2}^{++}$. Our study confirms the presence of charged charmonium-like resonances on the excited charmonium spectrum. We find support from recent experimental data by the Belle Collaboration [R. Mizuk et al. (Belle Collaboration), Phys. Rev. D 78, 072004 (2008)]. Confirmation of the experimental data by the Belle Collaboration and the determination of the quantum numbers of the new structures would help in dis…

Dosimetry comparison between TG-43 and Monte Carlo calculations using the Freiburg flap for skin high-dose-rate brachytherapy

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this work was to evaluate whether the delivered dose to the skin surface and at the prescription depth when using a Freiburg flap applicator is in agreement with the one predicted by the treatment planning system (TPS) using the TG-43 dose-calculation formalism. Methods and Materials Monte Carlo (MC) simulations and radiochromic film measurements have been performed to obtain dose distributions with the source located at the center of one of the spheres and between two spheres. Primary and scatter dose contributions were evaluated to understand the role played by the scatter component. A standard treatment plan was generated using MC- and TG-43-based TPS appl…

Constituent quark model study of light- and strange-baryon spectra

We investigate the structure of the SU(3) octet and decuplet baryons employing a constituent quark model designed for the study of the baryon-baryon interaction and successfully applied to the meson spectra. The model considers through the interacting potential perturbative, one-gluon exchange, and non-perturbative, boson exchanges and confinement, aspects of the underlying theory, QCD. We solve the three-quark problem by means of the Faddeev method in momentum space. We analyze the effect of the different terms in the interaction and make contact with the use of relativistic kinematics. We find an explanation to the strong contribution of the pseudoscalar forces in the semirelativistic app…

Estimation of equivalent dose to the eye lens and hands in wrist surgery using OSL dosimetry

The new recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP-2012 Publication 118) proposes reducing the limit of equivalent dose to the eye lens. For this reason, it is necessary to make estimates about received equivalent dose to the eye lens of medical staff. This study provides an alternative to dosimetry of the eye lens and hands, using dosimeters nanoDots based on optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) technology in wrist surgery procedure carried out with fluoroscopy.

Screened potential and the baryon spectrum

We show that in a quark model scheme the use of a screened potential, suggested by lattice QCD, instead of an infinitely rising one with the interquark distance, provides a more adequate description of the high-energy baryon spectrum. In particular an almost perfect parallelism between the predicted and observed number of states comes out throwing new light about the so-called missing resonance problem.

Hunting exotics

In this work we study the $QQ\bar{n}\bar{n}$ systems from both four--quark and meson--meson molecule formalisms, arriving to consistent conclusions when the proper bases are chosen. These states are interesting as they are thought to be found in experiments soon at LHC or RHIC. Such a source of experimental information will significantly improve our current understanding of charm spectroscopy.

Open-charm meson spectroscopy

We present a theoretical framework that accounts for the new $D_J$ and $D_{sJ}$ mesons measured in the open-charm sector. These resonances are properly described if considered as a mixture of conventional $P-$wave quark-antiquark states and four-quark components. The narrowest states are basically $P-$wave quark-antiquark mesons, while the dominantly four-quark states are shifted above the corresponding two-meson threshold, being broad resonances. We study the electromagnetic decay widths as basic tools to scrutiny their nature. The proposed explanation incorporates in a natural way the most recently discovered mesons in charmonium spectroscopy.

On the use of the absorbed depth-dose measurements in the beam calibration of a surface electronic high-dose-rate brachytherapy unit, a Monte Carlo-based study.

PURPOSE To evaluate the use of the absorbed depth-dose as a surrogate of the half-value layer in the calibration of a high-dose-rate electronic brachytherapy (eBT) equipment. The effect of the manufacturing tolerances and the absorbed depth-dose measurement uncertainties in the calibration process are also addressed. METHODS The eBT system Esteya® (Elekta Brachytherapy, Veenendaal, The Netherlands) has been chosen as a proof-of-concept to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed method, using its 10 mm diameter applicator. Two calibration protocols recommended by the AAPM (TG-61) and the IAEA (TRS-398) for low-energy photon beams were evaluated. The required Monte Carlo (MC) simulations w…

The ρ–ω splitting in constituent quark models

Abstract In this Letter we present a solution to describe simultaneously the light isoscalar and isovector vector mesons in constituent quark models. In Ref. [J. Vijande, F. Fernandez, A. Valcarce, J. Phys. G 31 (2005) 481] the q q ¯ spectrum was studied in a generalized constituent quark model constrained by the NN phenomenology and the baryon spectrum. An overall good fit to the available experimental data was obtained. A major problem of this description was the relative position of the vector ω and ρ mesons. The present results improve the description of the isoscalar meson spectroscopy. They should serve as a step forward in distinguishing conventional quark model mesons from exotic st…

Neutral baryonic systems with strangeness

We review the status as regards the existence of three- and four-body bound states made of neutrons and $\Lambda$ hyperons. For interesting cases, the coupling to neutral baryonic systems made of charged particles of different strangeness has been addressed. There are strong arguments showing that the $\Lambda nn$ system has no bound states. $\Lambda\Lambda nn$ strong stable states are not favored by our current knowledge of the strangeness $-1$ and $-2$ baryon-baryon interactions. However, a possible $\Xi^- t$ quasibound state decaying to $\Lambda\Lambda nn$ might exist in nature. Similarly, there is a broad agreement about the nonexistence of $\Lambda\Lambda n$ bound states. However, the …

EP-1186: Accuracy of the TG-43 dose calculation formalism for HDR skin brachytherapy

$b\bar b$ DESCRIPTION WITH A SCREENED POTENTIAL

Recent lattice QCD calculations suggest a rather abrupt transition in the confinig potential from a linear to a constant behavior. We analyze the effects of such a fast deconfinement in the simplest non-relativistic system, bottomonium.

Towards the understanding of the meson spectra

We present a quark-quark interaction for the complete study of the meson spectra, from the light to the heavy sector. We compare the quark model predictions against well-established $q\bar q$ experimental data. This allows to identify discrepancies between quark model results and experiment that may signal physics beyond conventional hadron spectroscopy.

Exotic bcq¯q¯ four-quark states

We carry out a systematic study of exotic $Q{Q}^{\ensuremath{'}}\overline{q}\overline{q}$ four-quark states containing distinguishable heavy flavors, $b$ and $c$. Different generic constituent models are explored in an attempt to extract general conclusions. The results are robust, predicting the same sets of quantum numbers as the best candidates to lodge bound states independently of the model used, the isoscalar ${J}^{P}={0}^{+}$ and ${J}^{P}={1}^{+}$ states. The first state would be strong and electromagnetic-interaction stable, while the second would decay electromagnetically to $\overline{B}D\ensuremath{\gamma}$. Isovector states are found to be unbound, preventing the existence of ch…

Backscatter and Transmission through a Lead Shield Used in Surface and Interstitial HDR Brachytherapy

Maximal isospin few-body systems of nucleons and $\Xi$ hyperons

By using local central Yukawa-type interactions that reproduce the low-energy parameters of the latest updates of the Nijmegen ESC08c potentials we show that the $N\Xi$, $NN\Xi$, $N\Xi\Xi$ and $NN\Xi\Xi$ systems with maximal isospin are bound. Since in these states the strong decay $N\Xi\to\Lambda\Lambda$ is forbidden by isospin conservation, these strange few-body systems will be stable under the strong interaction. These results may suggest that other states with different number of $N$'s and $\Xi$'s in the maximal isospin channel could also be bound.

SU-GG-T-70: A Dosimetric Study of the MicroSelectron HDR Ir-192 Brachytherapy Source

Purpose: Recently the manufacturer of the mHDR‐v2 HDR Ir‐192 brachytherapy source clarified design changes that may alter the existing dosimetric data for this source. The object of this study was to obtain new dose rate tables following the TG‐43 formalism and to provide these data in close proximity to the source with high spatial resolution including the electron dosimetric contributions from Ir‐192 disintegration. Methods and Material: To study the source we used three different Monte Carlo codes: MCNP5, GEANT4, and Penelope. The source was located inside a 40 cm radius water phantom. Dose and kerma were obtained using 0.1 mm thick voxels to provide high‐resolution dosimetry near the so…

Hyperspherical harmonic study of identical-flavor four-quark systems

4 pages.-- ISI Article Identifier: 000248297600103.-- ArXiv pre-print available at: http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-ph/0610287

Explanation of theΔ5/2−(1930)as aρΔbound state

We use the $\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\Delta}$ interaction in the hidden gauge formalism to dynamically generate ${N}^{*}$ and ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}^{*}$ resonances. We show, through a comparison of the results from this analysis and from a quark model study with data, that the ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{5/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}}(1930)$, ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{3/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}}(1940)$, and ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{1/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}}(1900)$ resonances can be assigned to $\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\Delta}$ bound states. More precisely the ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{5/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}}(1930)$ can be interpreted as a $\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\Delta}$ bound state whereas the $…

Determination of consensus kQ values for megavoltage photon beams for the update of IAEA TRS-398

The IAEA is currently coordinating a multi-year project to update the TRS-398 Code of Practice for the dosimetry of external beam radiotherapy based on standards of absorbed dose to water. One major aspect of the project is the determination of new beam quality correction factors, kQ, for megavoltage photon beams consistent with developments in radiotherapy dosimetry and technology since the publication of TRS-398 in 2000. Specifically, all values must be based on, or consistent with, the key data of ICRU Report 90. Data sets obtained from Monte Carlo (MC) calculations by advanced users and measurements at primary standards laboratories have been compiled for 23 cylindrical ionization chamb…

Doubly charmed exotic mesons: A gift of nature?

Article history: We study doubly charmed exotic states by solving the scattering problem of two D mesons. Our results point to the existence of a stable isoscalar doubly charmed meson with quantum numbers (I) J P = (0)1 + . We perform a thorough comparison to the results obtained within the hyperspherical harmonic formalism. Such exotic states could be measured at LHC and RHIC. Their experimental observation would,

Production of exotic tetraquarks QQq¯q¯ in heavy-ion collisions at the LHC

We investigate the production of exotic tetraquarks, $QQ\overline{q}\overline{q}\ensuremath{\equiv}{T}_{QQ}$ ($Q=c$ or $b$ and $q=u$ or $d$), in relativistic heavy-ion collisions using the quark coalescence model. The ${T}_{QQ}$ yield is given by the overlap of the density matrix of the constituents in the emission source with the Wigner function of the produced tetraquark. The tetraquark wave function is obtained from exact solutions of the four-body problem using realistic constituent models. The production yields are typically one order of magnitude smaller than previous estimations based on simplified wave functions for the tetraquarks. We also evaluate the consequences of the partial r…

Prescription Depth in Surface Skin Brachytherapy

Graphical interface for designing geometries and processing DICOM images for PENELOPE

One of he most difficult steps when preparing a Monte Carlo calculation is the design of their geometries. Such process is an error-prone, time-consuming, and complex step for any simulation in the field of medical physics. The software VoxelMages has been developed to help the user in this complex task. It allows to design arbitrary geometries and to process DICOM image files for simulations with the general-purpose Monte Carlo code PENELOPE. Its main characteristics are described in the following.

ON THE NATURE OF THE X(3872)

We present recent studies of charmonium multiquark states. We use different interacting models and numerical methods to study deeply bound four-quark states and meson-meson molecules. No deeply bound four-quark states are found in our analysis. A nice description of the X(3872) is obtained as a $D\bar{D}^*-J/\Psi\omega$ coupled channel state.

Basics of doubly heavy tetraquarks

We outline the most important results regarding the stability of doubly heavy tetraquarks $QQ\bar q\bar q$ with an adequate treatment of the four-body dynamics. We consider both color-mixing and spin-dependent effects. Our results are straightforwardly applied to the case of all-heavy tetraquarks $QQ\bar Q\bar Q$. We conclude that the stability is favored in the limit $M_Q/m_q \gg 1$ pointing to the stability of the $bb\bar u\bar d$ state and the instability of all-heavy tetraquarks.

Radiation dose distribution around a mobile linear accelerator Mobetron using Monte Carlo simulation

The aim of this work is to analyze the scattered radiation produced by the mobile accelerator Mobetron. To do so detailed Monte Carlo simulation using two different codes, Penelope2011 and Geant4, were performed. Experimental measurements were also done to validate them. To quantify the attenuation of the internal structures present in the accelerator head on the scattered radiation produced, some of the main structural shielding in the Mobetron has been incorporated into the simulation. Results are compared with experimental measurements. Some discrepancies between the calculated and measured dose values were found. These differences can be traced back to the importance of the radiation co…

Multiquark description of theDsJ(2860)andDsJ(2700)

Within a theoretical framework that accounts for all open-charm mesons, including the ${D}_{0}^{*}(2308)$, the ${D}_{sJ}^{*}(2317)$, and the ${D}_{sJ}(2460)$, we analyze the structure and explore possible quantum number assignments for the ${D}_{sJ}(2860)$ and the ${D}_{sJ}(2700)$ mesons reported by BABAR and Belle Collaborations. The open-charm sector is properly described if considered as a combination of conventional quark-antiquark states and four-quark components. All negative parity and ${2}^{+}$ states can be understood in terms only of $q\overline{q}$ components, however the description of the ${0}^{+}$ and ${1}^{+}$ mesons is improved whenever the mixing between two- and four-quark…

A generic TG-186 shielded applicator for commissioning model-based dose calculation algorithms for high-dose-rate Ir-192 brachytherapy

PurposeA joint working group was created by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO), and the Australasian Brachytherapy Group (ABG) with the charge, among others, to develop a set of well-defined test case plans and perform calculations and comparisons with model-based dose calculation algorithms (MBDCAs). Its main goal is to facilitate a smooth transition from the AAPM Task Group No. 43 (TG-43) dose calculation formalism, widely being used in clinical practice for brachytherapy, to the one proposed by Task Group No. 186 (TG-186) for MBDCAs. To do so, in this work a hypothetical, generic high-dose rate (HDR) Ir-19…

Understanding open-charm mesons

We present a theoretical framework that accounts for the new $D_J$ and $D_{sJ}$ mesons measured in the open-charm sector. These resonances are properly described if considered as a mixture of conventional $P-$wave quark-antiquark states and four-quark components. The narrowest states are basically $P-$wave quark-antiquark mesons, while the dominantly four-quark states are shifted above the corresponding two-meson threshold. We study the electromagnetic decay widths as basic tools to scrutiny their nature.

Constituent-quark model description of triply heavy-baryon nonperturbative lattice QCD data

This paper provides results for the spectra of triply charmed and bottom baryons based on a constituent quark model approach. We take advantage of the assumption that potential models are expected to describe triply heavy baryons to a similar degree of accuracy as the successful results obtained in the charmonium and bottomonium sectors. The high precision calculation of the ground state and positive and negative parity excited states recently reported by nonperturbative lattice QCD provides us with a unique opportunity to confront model predictions with data. This comparison may also help to build a bridge between two difficult to reconcile lattice QCD results, namely, the lattice SU(3) QC…

Hall–Post inequalities: Review and application to molecules and tetraquarks

A review is presented of the Hall–Post inequalities that give lower-bounds to the ground-state energy of quantum systems in terms of energies of smaller systems. New applications are given for systems experiencing both a static source and inner interactions, as well as for hydrogen-like molecules and for tetraquarks in some quark models. In the latter case, the Hall–Post inequalities constrain the possibility of deeply-bound exotic mesons below the threshold for dissociation into two quark–antiquark mesons. We also emphasize the usefulness of the Hall–Post bounds in terms of 3-body energies when some 2-body subsystems are ill defined or do not support any bound state.

Heavy Meson Description with a Screened Potential

We perform a quark model calculation of the $b\bar{b}$ and $c\bar{c}$ spectra from a screened funnel potential form suggested by unquenched lattice calculations. A connection between the lattice screening parameter and an effective gluon mass directly derived from QCD is established. Spin-spin energy splittings, leptonic widths and radiative decays are also examined providing a test for the description of the states.

Model-Based Dose Calculation Algorithms for Brachytherapy Dosimetry

The purpose of this study was to review the limitations of dose calculation formalisms for photon-emitting brachytherapy sources based on the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group No. 43 (TG-43) report and to provide recommendations to transition to model-based dose calculation algorithms. Additionally, an overview of these algorithms and approaches is presented. The influence of tissue and seed/applicator heterogeneities on brachytherapy dose distributions for breast, gynecologic, head and neck, rectum, and prostate cancers as well as eye plaques and electronic brachytherapy treatments were investigated by comparing dose calculations based on the TG-43 formalism …

QCD Confinement and the Meson Spectrum

From QCD and lattice calculations two specific forms of quark confining potential, a strict linear and a screened linear confinement, come out. Both forms of the potential, implemented by the one gluon exchange interaction, are applied to the description of heavy quarkonia: cc and bb. Applications to light hadrons, mesons and baryons, are also commented.

SU-G-201-02: Application of RayStretch in Clinical Cases: A Calculation for Heterogeneity Corrections in LDR Permanent I-125 Prostate Brachytherapy

Purpose: Tissue heterogeneities and calcifications have significant impact on the dosimetry of low energy brachytherapy (BT). RayStretch is an analytical algorithm developed in our institution to incorporate heterogeneity corrections in LDR prostate brachytherapy. The aim of this work is to study its application in clinical cases by comparing its predictions with the results obtained with TG-43 and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Methods: A clinical implant (71 I-125 seeds, 15 needles) from a real patient was considered. On this patient, different volumes with calcifications were considered. Its properties were evaluated in three ways by i) the Treatment planning system (TPS) (TG-43), ii) a M…

SU-E-T-516: Limitations and Clinical Implications of the TG-43 Formalism for High-Dose-Rate Skin Brachytherapy

Purpose: In high‐dose‐rate (HDR) skin brachytherapy, sources are located outside, in contact with, or implanted at some depth below the skin surface. Nowadays, most TPS use the TG‐43 formalism that is based on sources within an infinite water medium, without accounting for the scatter defect due to surrounding air. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the limitations of the TG‐43 formalism in HDR skin brachytherapy. Methods: This study examined two HDR sources (Ir‐192 and Co‐60) together with a hypothetical Yb‐169 source. Dose distributions were obtained using Monte Carlo methods (i.e., GEANT4). The following configurations were investigated: 1)A typical clinical case consisting …

Limitations of the TG-43 formalism for skin high-dose-rate brachytherapy dose calculations

Purpose: In skin high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy, sources are located outside, in contact with, or implanted at some depth below the skin surface. Most treatment planning systems use the TG-43 formalism, which is based on single-source dose superposition within an infinite water medium without accounting for the true geometry in which conditions for scattered radiation are altered by the presence of air. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the dosimetric limitations of the TG-43 formalism in HDR skin brachytherapy and the potential clinical impact. Methods: Dose rate distributions of typical configurations used in skin brachytherapy were obtained: a 5 cm × 5 cm superficial mould; a …

SU-E-T-237: Monte Carlo Dosimetric Characterization of the Mobetron Mobile Linac

Purpose: The aim of this work is to characterize dosimetrically a clinical intraoperative electron beam accelerator, Mobetron (IntraOp Medical, Inc.) in clinical use in our Hospital. Once this first step is completed our purpose is to evaluate shielding requirements for such a device by preparing adequate phase space files. Methods: It is known that electron beam simulation parameters required for state-of-the-art Monte Carlo codes to obtain a good match with measured data, like the mean energy or the FWHM, may not be code-independent due to the different set of process simulated and formalisms involved. Then, to cross-check our results against any issue in the simulation we have compared e…

SU-E-T-530: Comparison of Analytical and Monte Carlo Calculations for Heterogeneity Corrections in LDR Prostate Brachytherapy

Purpose: It is well‐known that tissue heterogeneities and calcifications have significant influence on low energy brachytherapy. The aim of this work is to study the application of a simplified analytic algorithm that could be compatible with commercial Treatment Planning System (TPS) based on TG‐43. The algorithm, based on the classic equivalent path length method, has been compared with Monte Carlo (MC) computations using Penelope2009. Methods: The analytical model scales the distance from the seed to the calculation point according to the electronic density of the medium relative to water. Then, the dose is calculated from TG‐43 consensus data (stored on a TPS) by scaling the radial dose…

New HDR Valencia Applicator for Treating Skin Lesions Larger Than 3 cm Size with Either a Co-60 or Ir-192 Source

SU-F-T-63: Dosimetric Relevance of the Valencia and Leipzig HDR Applicators Plastic Cap

Purpose: Utilization of HDR brachytherapy treatment of skin lesions using collimated applicators, such as the Valencia or Leipzig is increasing. These applicators are made of cup-shaped tungsten material in order to focalize the radiation into the lesion and to protect nearby tissues. These applicators have an attachable plastic cap that removes secondary electrons generated in the applicator and flattens the treatment surface. The purpose of this study is to examine the dosimetric impact of this cap, and the effect if the cap is not placed during the HDR fraction delivery. Methods: Monte Carlo simulations have been done using the code Geant4 for the Valencia and Leipzig applicators. Dose r…

Towards an understanding of heavy baryon spectroscopy

The recent observation at CDF and D0 of $\Sigma_b$, $\Sigma^*_b$ and $\Xi_b$ baryons opens the door to the advent of new states in the bottom baryon sector. The states measured provide sufficient constraints to fix the parameters of phenomenological models. One may therefore consistently predict the full bottom baryon spectra. For this purpose we have solved exactly the three-quark problem by means of the Faddeev method in momentum space. We consider our guidance may help experimentalists in the search for new bottom baryons and their findings will help in constraining further the phenomenological models. We identify particular states whose masses may allow to discriminate between the dynam…

SU-E-T-508: Monte Carlo Dosimetric Study of the CSM40 Low Dose Rate Source

Purpose: There is a LDR 137Cs brachytherapy source, CSM40, developed by Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG. Fundamental dosimetric datasets to be used on treatment planning systems do not exist for this source. This study aims to obtain quality dosimetric data for this source for its use in clinical practice as required by AAPM and ESTRO. Methods: Penelope2008 and GEANT4 Monte Carlo codes were used to characterize this source dosimetry. Water composition and mass density was that recommended by AAPM. Due to the typical energies of the 137 Cs, dose for small distances can be approximated by collisional kerma. Therefore, we have considered collisional kerma for r<20 cm. To provide adequate spatial resolu…

Influence of the simultaneous calibration of multiple ring dosimeters on the individual absorbed dose

Abstract Ring dosimeters for personal dosimetry are calibrated in accredited laboratories following ISO 4037-3 guidelines. The simultaneous irradiation of multiple dosimeters would save time, but has to be carefully studied, since the scattering conditions could change and influence the absorbed dose in nearby dosimeters. Monte Carlo simulations using PENELOPE-2014 were performed to explore the need to increase the uncertainty of H p 0 .07 in the simultaneous irradiation of three and five DXT-RAD 707H-2 (Thermo Scientific) ring dosimeters with beam qualities: N-30, N-80 and N-300. Results show that the absorbed dose in each dosimeter is compatible with each of the others and with the refere…

Dynamically generated resonances

We study the radiative decay properties of the charmonium-like X, Y and Z mesons generated dynamically from vector meson-vector meson interaction in the framework of a unitarized hiddengauge formalism. In the present work we calculate the one- and two-photon decay widths of the hidden-charm Y (3940), Z(3930) (or X(3915)) and X(4160) mesons in the framework of the vector meson dominance formalism. We obtain good agreement with experiment in case of the two photon width of the X(3915) which we associate with the 2 + resonance that we find at 3922 MeV.

Topological charge selection rule for phase singularities

We present a study of the dynamics and decay pattern of phase singularities due to the action of a system with a discrete rotational symmetry of finite order. A topological charge conservation rule is identified. The role played by the underlying symmetry is emphasized. An effective model describing the short range dynamics of the vortex clusters has been designed. A method to engineer any desired configuration of clusters of phase singularities is proposed. Its flexibility to create and control clusters of vortices is discussed.

HEAVY HADRON SPECTROSCOPY: A QUARK MODEL PERSPECTIVE

We present recent results of hadron spectroscopy and hadron hadron interaction from the perspective of constituent quark models. We pay special attention to the role played by higher-order hock space components in the hadron spectra and the connection of this extension with the hadron-hadron interaction. The main goal of our description is to obtain a coherent understanding of the low-energy hadron phenomenology without enforcing any particular model, to constrain its characteristics and learn about the low-energy realization of the theory.

Stability of multiquarks in an improved flip-flop model of confinement

We review some recent studies on the string model of confinement inspired by the strong-coupling regime of QCD and its application to exotic multiquark configurations. This includes two quarks and two antiquarks, four quarks and one antiquark, six quarks, and three quarks and three antiquarks with a careful treatment of the corresponding few-body problem.

Dynamically generated resonances

In this talk I report on recent work related to the dynamical generation of baryonic resonances, some made up from pseudoscalar meson-baryon, others from vector meson-baryon and a third type from two meson-one baryon systems. We can establish a correspondence with known baryonic resonances, reinforcing conclusions previously drawn and bringing new light on the nature of some baryonic resonances of higher mass.

Molecular and compact four-quark states

5th International Conference on Quarks and Nuclear Physics (QNP09). Inst High Energy Phys Chinese Acad Sci, Beijing, PEOPLES R CHINA, SEP 21-25, 2009

Too many Xʼs, Yʼs and Zʼs?

Abstract A large number of new states have been reported during the last few years in charmonium spectroscopy above the charmed meson production threshold. They have been called X ʼs, Y ʼs, and Z ʼs. We reflect on the influence of thresholds on heavy meson spectroscopy comparing different flavor sectors and quantum numbers. The validity of a quark-model picture above open-flavor thresholds would severely restrict the number of channels that may lodge meson–meson molecules.

A topological charge selection rule for phase singularities

We present a study of the dynamics and decay pattern of phase singularities due to the action of a system with a discrete rotational symmetry of finite order. A topological charge conservation rule is identified.

Depth-dose measurement corrections for the surface electronic brachytherapy beams of an Esteya® unit: a Monte Carlo study

Abstract Three different correction factors for measurements with the parallel-plate ionization chamber PTW T34013 on the Esteya electronic brachytherapy unit have been investigated. This chamber type is recommended by AAPM TG-253 for depth-dose measurements in the 69.5 kV x-ray beam generated by the Esteya unit. Monte Carlo simulations using the PENELOPE-2018 system were performed to determine the absorbed dose deposited in water and in the chamber sensitive volume at different depths with a Type A uncertainty smaller than 0.1%. Chamber-to-chamber differences have been explored performing measurements using three different chambers. The range of conical applicators available, from 10 to 30…

Stability of multiquarks in a simple string model

A simple string model inspired by the strong-coupling regime of Quantum ChromoDynamics is used as a potential for studying the spectrum of multiquark systems with two quarks and two antiquarks, with a careful treatment of the four-body problem. It is found that the ground state is stable, lying below the threshold for dissociation into two isolated mesons.

Baryon Resonances

10th International Conference on Hypernuclear and Strange Particle Physics. Tokai, JAPAN, SEP 14-18, 2009

Symmetry patterns in the (N, Delta) spectrum

We revise the role played by symmetry in the study of the low-lying baryon spectrum and comment on the difficulties when trying to generalize the symmetry pattern to higher energy states. We show that for the $(N,\Delta)$ part such a generalization is plausible allowing the identification of spectral regularities and the prediction of until now non-identified resonances.

Implementation and Validation of an End-to-End Commissioning Process for Model-Based Dose Calculation Algorithms in Brachytherapy

Spectral patterns in the nonstrange baryon spectrum

We extract, from a quark model potential that reproduces the number and ordering of nonstrange baryonic resonances up to 2.3 GeV, the quantum numbers for the dominant configurations in the ground and first non-radial excited states. From the pattern of quantum numbers we identify, from data, spectral regularities that allow us to predict the expected high spin low-lying spectrum from 2.3 to 3.0 GeV. $N-\Delta$ degeneracies and $N$ parity doublets showing up can be interpreted in terms of a simple dynamics.

Design and characterization of a new high-dose-rate brachytherapy Valencia applicator for larger skin lesions

Purpose: The aims of this study were (i) to design a new high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy applicator for treating surface lesions with planning target volumes larger than 3 cm in diameter and up to 5 cm in size, using the microSelectron-HDR or Flexitron afterloader (Elekta Brachytherapy) with a 192Ir source; (ii) to calculate by means of the Monte Carlo(MC) method the dose distribution for the new applicator when it is placed against a water phantom; and (iii) to validate experimentally the dose distributions in water. Methods: The penelope2008MC code was used to optimize dwell positions and dwell times. Next, the dose distribution in a water phantom and the leakage dose distribution arou…

Pentaquarks with anticharm or beauty revisited

We use a constituent model to analyze the stability of pentaquark $\bar Q qqqq$ configurations with a heavy antiquark $\bar c$ or $\bar b$, and four light quarks $uuds$, $ddsu$ or $ssud$. The interplay between chromoelectric and chromomagnetic effects is not favorable, and, as a consequence, no bound state is found below the lowest dissociation threshold.

Tetraquark Spectroscopy: A Symmetry Analysis

We present a detailed analysis of the symmetry properties of a four-quark wave function and its solution by means of a variational approach for simple Hamiltonians. We discuss several examples in the light and heavy-light meson sector.

WE-C-108-08: Organ Doses in a Male Phantom Undergoing High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy Applied to the Prostate

Purpose: The aim of this study was to obtain equivalent doses to radiosensitive organs when applying high‐dose‐rate (HDR) brachytherapy to the prostate using60 Co or 192 Ir sources, and in comparison to external‐beam radiotherapy (EBRT) modalities. Methods: Monte Carlo simulations in Geant4 were performed using a voxelized adult reference man described in Publication 110 by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Point sources of 60Co or 192Ir with photon energy spectra corresponding to those exiting their capsules were placed in the center of the prostate. Equivalent doses per therapeutic absorbed dose to the prostate were obtained in several radiosensitive organs. …

Doubly heavy baryon spectra guided by lattice QCD

This paper provides results for the ground state and excited spectra of three-flavored doubly heavy baryons, $bcn$ and $bcs$. We take advantage of the spin-independent interaction recently obtained to reconcile the lattice SU(3) QCD static potential and the results of nonperturbative lattice QCD for the triply heavy baryon spectra. We show that the spin-dependent potential might be constrained on the basis of nonperturbative lattice QCD results for the spin splittings of three-flavored doubly heavy baryons. Our results may also represent a challenge for future lattice QCD work, because a smaller lattice error could help in distinguishing between different prescriptions for the spin-dependen…

An explanation of the Δ D 35 (1930) as a σΔ bound state

Constituent quark models based on two-body potentials systematically overpredict the mass of ΔD35 (1930). A possible solution to this problem comes out from the application of a schematic hybrid model, containing three-quark as well as meson-baryon components, to the light-quark baryon spectrum. The ΔD35 (1930) and its partners ΔD33 (1940) and ΔD31 (1900) are found to contain a significant σΔ component. Then, through the use of the hidden gauge formalism, it is shown that these resonances can be dynamically generated from the σ-Δ interaction. In particular ΔD35 (1930) can be interpreted as being essentially a σΔ bound state. This interpretation suggests that the inclusion of σΔ as an effect…

B meson spectroscopy

We study the $B$ meson spectroscopy allowing the mixture of conventional $P$ wave quark-antiquark states and four-quark components. A similar picture was used to describe the new $D_J$ and $D_{sJ}$ open charm mesons. The four-quark components shift the masses of some positive parity $B_{sJ}$ states below their corresponding isospin preserving two-meson threshold and therefore they are expected to be narrow. Electromagnetic decay widths are analyzed.

Breaking Symmetry Effects on Heavy Tetraquarks

In this contribution we present symmetry arguments that can be applied to study the stability of four-quark systems with two different masses. The role played by different symmetry breaking effects and the non-Abelian algebra of color forces is discussed in detail. In the particular case of hidden-flavor all-heavy four-quark states, QQ (Q) over bar(Q) over bar, the system becomes unstable for standard color-additive models. Differences and similarities between Qq (Q) over bar(q) over bar and QQ (q) over bar(q) over bar configurations are presented. In the latter case, its stability when the mass ratio M/m increases was established almost forty years ago. In the former case, we find a kind o…

Dosimetric perturbations of a lead shield for surface and interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy.

In surface and interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy with either (60)Co, (192)Ir, or (169)Yb sources, some radiosensitive organs near the surface may be exposed to high absorbed doses. This may be reduced by covering the implants with a lead shield on the body surface, which results in dosimetric perturbations. Monte Carlo simulations in Geant4 were performed for the three radionuclides placed at a single dwell position. Four different shield thicknesses (0, 3, 6, and 10 mm) and three different source depths (0, 5, and 10 mm) in water were considered, with the lead shield placed at the phantom surface. Backscatter dose enhancement and transmission data were obtained for the lead shields…

Heavy baryon spectroscopy with relativistic kinematics

We present a comparative Faddeev study of heavy baryon spectroscopy with nonrelativistic and relativistic kinematics. We show results for different standard hyperfine interactions with both kinematics in an attempt to learn about the light quark dynamics. We highlight the properties of particular states accessible in nowadays laboratories that would help in discriminating between different dynamical models. The advance in the knowledge of light quark dynamics is a key tool for the understanding of the existence of exotic hadrons.

Stability of hexaquarks in the string limit of confinement

The stability of systems containing six quarks or antiquarks is studied within a simple string model inspired by the strong-coupling regime of quantum chromodynamics and used previously for tetraquarks and pentaquarks. We discuss both six-quark $(q^6)$ and three-quark--three-antiquark $ (q^3\bar q{}^3)$ states. The quarks are assumed to be distinguishable and thus not submitted to antisymmetrization. It is found that the ground state of $(q^6)$ is stable against dissociation into two isolated baryons. For the case of $ (q^3\bar q{}^3)$, our results indicate the existence of a bound state very close to the threshold. The investigations are extended to $(q^3Q^3)$ and $(Q^3\bar q^3)$ systems w…

Too many $X's$, $Y's$ and $Z's$?

Heavy meson spectroscopy above open flavor thresholds has become a challenge both from the experimental and theoretical points of view. Experimentally, several signals have been interpreted as meson resonances with unusual properties; theoretically, such signals may be identified with meson-meson molecules or compact multiquark structures. We analyze the influence of thresholds on heavy meson spectroscopy comparing different flavor sectors and quantum numbers. The validity of a quark-model picture above open-flavor thresholds would severely restrict the number of channels that may lodge multiquark structures as meson-meson molecules.

Very Heavy Flavored Dibaryons

We explore the possibility of very heavy dibaryons with three charm quarks and three beauty quarks, $bbbccc$, using a constituent model which should drive to the correct solution in the limit of hadrons made of heavy quarks. The six-body problem is treated rigorously, in particular taking into account the orbital, color and spin mixed-symmetry components of the wave function. Unlike a recent claim based on lattice QCD, no bound state is found below the lowest dissociation threshold.

Collision-kerma conversion between dose-to-tissue and dose-to-water by photon energy-fluence corrections in low-energy brachytherapy

The AAPM TG-43 brachytherapy dosimetry formalism, introduced in 1995, has become a standard for brachytherapy dosimetry worldwide; it implicitly assumes that charged-particle equilibrium (CPE) exists for the determination of absorbed dose to water at different locations, except in the vicinity of the source capsule. Subsequent dosimetry developments, based on Monte Carlo calculations or analytical solutions of transport equations, do not rely on the CPE assumption and determine directly the dose to different tissues. At the time of relating dose to tissue and dose to water, or vice versa, it is usually assumed that the photon fluence in water and in tissues are practically identical, so tha…

Quark-model study of the hadron structure and the hadron-hadron interaction

Recent results of hadron spectroscopy and hadron-hadron interaction within a quark model framework are reviewed. Higher order Fock space components are considered based on new experimental data on low-energy hadron phenomenology. The purpose of this study is to obtain a coherent description of the low-energy hadron phenomenology to constrain QCD phenomenological models and try to learn about low-energy realizations of the theory.

Docc¯nn¯bound states exist?

The four-quark system $c\overline{c}n\overline{n}$ is studied in the framework of the constituent quark model. Using different types of quark-quark potentials, we solve the four-body Schr\"odinger equation by means of the hyperspherical harmonic formalism. Exploring the low laying ${J}^{\mathrm{PC}}$ states for different isospin configurations no four-quark bound states have been found. Of particular interest is the possible four-quark structure of the $X(3872)$. We rule out the possibility that this particle is a compact tetraquark system, unless additional correlations, either in the form of diquarks or at the level of the interacting potential, not considered in simple quark models do co…

A Generic High-Dose-Rate 192Ir Source Model for Model-Based Dose Calculation Methods in Brachytherapy Beyond the TG-43 Formalism

Meson-baryon threshold effects in the light-quark baryon spectrum

We argue that selected $S$ wave meson-baryon channels may play a key role to match poor baryon mass predictions from quark models with data. The identification of these channels with effective inelastic channels in data analysis allows to derive a prescription which could improve the extraction and identification of baryon resonances.

On the existence of exotic and non-exotic multiquark meson states

To obtain an exact solution of a four-body system containing two quarks and two antiquarks interacting through two-body terms is a cumbersome task that has been tackled with more or less success during the last decades. We present an exact method for the study of four-quark systems based on the hyperspherical harmonics formalism that allows us to solve it without resorting to further approximations, like for instance the existence of diquark components. We apply it to systems containing two heavy and two light quarks using different quark-quark potentials. While $QQ\bar n \bar n$ states may be stable in nature, the stability of $Q\bar Qn \bar n$ states would imply the existence of quark cor…

Multiquark description of the D-sJ(2860) and D-sJ(2700)

Within a theoretical framework that accounts for all open-charm mesons, including the D-0*(2308), the D-sJ*(2317), and the D-sJ(2460), we analyze the structure and explore possible quantum number assignments for the D-sJ(2860) and the D-sJ(2700) mesons reported by BABAR and Belle Collaborations. The open-charm sector is properly described if considered as a combination of conventional quark-antiquark states and four-quark components. All negative parity and 2(+) states can be understood in terms only of q (q) over bar components, however the description of the 0(+) and 1(+) mesons is improved whenever the mixing between two- and four-quark configurations is included. We analyze all possible…

Monte Carlo dosimetric study of the Flexisource Co-60 high dose rate source.

Purpose: Recently, a new HDR 60 Co brachytherapy source, Flexisource Co-60, has been developed (Nucletron B.V. Veenendaal, The Netherlands). This study aims to obtain dosimetric data for this source for its use in clinical practice as required by AAPM and ESTRO. Material and methods: Two Monte Carlo radiation transport codes were used: Penelope2008 and GEANT4. The source was centrally-positioned in a 100 cm radius water phantom. Absorbed dose and collisional kerma were obtained using 0.01 cm (close) and 0.1 cm (far) sized voxels to provide high-resolution dosimetry near (far from) the source. Dose rate distributions obtained with the two Monte Carlo codes were compared. Results and Discussi…

Establishing Universal Test Cases for Benchmarking Model-Based Dose Calculations beyond TG-43

Quark-model hadron structure

We review some selected recent results on hadron spectroscopy and related theoretical studies based on constituent quark models.

Response to “Comment on ‘Comparison and uncertainty evaluation of different calibration protocols and ionization chambers for low-energy surface brachytherapy dosimetry’ ” [Med. Phys. 42 , 4954-4964 (2015)]

CHARMONIUM: X(3872) AND BEYOND

We analyze the spectrum of charmonium above the threshold for the production of D mesons. Several recent intriguing experimental data have reopen the interest on charmonium spectroscopy and they deserve an special attention. We focus our study on the X(3872) and the possible existence of charged states contributing to the spectrum of charmonium

A study of Type B uncertainties associated with the photoelectric effect in low-energy Monte Carlo simulations

The goal of this manuscript is to estimate Type B uncertainties in absorbed-dose calculations arising from the different implementations in current state-of-the-art Monte Carlo codes of low-energy photon cross-sections (&lt;200 keV). Monte Carlo simulations are carried out using three codes widely used in the low-energy domain: PENELOPE-2018, EGSnrc, and MCNP. Mass energy-absorption coefficients for water, air, graphite, and their respective ratios; absorbed dose; and photon-fluence spectra are considered. Benchmark simulations using similar cross-sections have been performed. The differences observed between these quantities when different cross-sections are considered are taken to be a go…

Effect of relativistic kinematics on the stability of multiquarks

We discuss whether the bound nature of multiquark states in quark models could benefit from relativistic effects on the kinetic energy operator. For mesons and baryons, relativistic corrections to the kinetic energy lead to lower energies, and thus call for a retuning of the parameters of the model. For multiquark states, as well as their respective thresholds, a comparison is made of the results obtained with non-relativistic and relativistic kinetic energy. It is found that the binding energy is lower in the relativistic case. In particular, $QQ\bar q\bar q$ tetraquarks with double heavy flavor become stable for a larger ratio of the heavy to light quark masses; and the all-heavy tetraqua…

Monte Carlo dosimetric study of the medium dose rate CSM40 source

Abstract The 137Cs medium dose rate (MDR) CSM40 source model (Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG, Germany) is in clinical use but no dosimetric dataset has been published. This study aims to obtain dosimetric data for the CSM40 source for its use in clinical practice as required by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO). Penelope2008 and Geant4 Monte Carlo codes were used to characterize this source dosimetrically. It was located in an unbounded water phantom with composition and mass density as recommended by AAPM and ESTRO. Due to the low photon energies of 137Cs, absorbed dose was approximated by collisional kerma. Add…

Study of CT/MRI mutual information based registration applied in brachytherapy

The present work aims to include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a Medical Image-based Graphical platfOrm - Brachytherapy module (AMIGOBrachy) which coupled to the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP6) code allows absorbed dose calculations. Computed tomography (CT) and MRI images were registered using mutual information algorithms to improve tissue segmentation potentially leading to a more accurate treatment planning system.

Source strength determination in iridium-192 and cobalt-60 brachytherapy : A European survey on the level of agreement between clinical measurements and manufacturer certificates

Background and purpose: Brachytherapy treatment outcomes depend on the accuracy of the delivered dose distribution, which is proportional to the reference air-kerma rate (RAKR). Current societal recommendations require the medical physicist to compare the measured RAKR values to the manufacturer source calibration certificate. The purpose of this work was to report agreement observed in current clinical practice in the European Union. Materials and methods: A European survey was performed for high- and pulsed-dose-rate (HDR and PDR) highenergy sources (Ir-192 and Co-60), to quantify observed RAKR differences. Medical physicists at eighteen hospitals from eight European countries were contac…

Nature of the light scalar mesons

Despite the apparent simplicity of meson spectroscopy, light scalar mesons cannot be accommodated in the usual $q\bar q$ structure. We study the description of the scalar mesons below 2 GeV in terms of the mixing of a chiral nonet of tetraquarks with conventional $q\bar q$ states. A strong diquark-antidiquark component is found for several states. The consideration of a glueball as dictated by quenched lattice QCD drives a coherent picture of the isoscalar mesons.

Stable heavy pentaquarks in constituent models

It is shown that standard constituent quark models produce $(\bar c c qqq)$ hidden-charm pentaquarks, where $c$ denotes the charmed quark and $q$ a light quark, which lie below the lowest threshold for spontaneous dissociation and thus are stable in the limit where the internal $\bar c c$ annihilation is neglected. The binding is a cooperative effect of the chromoelectric and chromomagnetic components of the interaction, and it disappears in the static limit with a pure chromoelectric potential. Their wave function contains color sextet and color octet configurations for the subsystems and can hardly be reduced to a molecular state made of two interacting hadrons. These pentaquark states co…

Tetraquarks in a chiral constituent-quark model

We analyze the possibility of heavy-light tetraquark bound states by means of a chiral constituent quark model. The study is done in a variational approach. Special attention is paid to the contribution given by the different terms of the interacting potential and also to the role played by the different color channels. We find a stable state for both $qq\bar{c}\bar{c}$ and $qq\bar{b}\bar{b}$ configurations. Possible decay modes of these structures are analyzed.

Are there compact heavy four-quark bound states?

6 pages, 1 figure.-- PACS nrs.: 12.39.Jh; 14.40.Lb.-- ISI Article Identifier: 000251327200050.-- ArXiv pre-print available at: http://arxiv.org/abs/0710.2516

Constituent quark model study of the meson spectra

The $q\bar q$ spectrum is studied in a generalized constituent quark model constrained in the study of the $NN$ phenomenology and the baryon spectrum. An overall good fit to the available experimental data is obtained. A detailed analysis of all sectors from the light-pseudoscalar and vector mesons to bottomonium is performed paying special attention to the existence and nature of some non well-established states. These results should serve as a complementary tool in distinguishing conventional quark model mesons from glueballs, hybrids or multiquark states.

A Monte Carlo-based dosimetric characterization of Esteya® , an electronic surface brachytherapy unit

PURPOSE The purpose of this work is threefold: First, to obtain the phase space of an electronic brachytherapy (eBT) system designed for surface skin treatments. Second, to explore the use of some efficiency enhancing (EFEN) strategies in the determination of the phase space. Third, to use the phase space previously obtained to perform a dosimetric characterization of the Esteya eBT system. METHODS The Monte Carlo study of the 69.5 kVp x-ray beam of the Esteya® unit (Elekta Brachytherapy, Veenendaal, The Netherlands) was performed with PENELOPE2014. The EFEN strategies included the use of variance reduction techniques and mixed Class II simulations, where transport parameters were fine-tune…

A practical MRI-based reconstruction method for a new endocavitary and interstitial gynaecological template

Purpose: There are perineal templates for interstitial implants such as MUPIT and Syed applicators. Their limitations are the intracavitary component deficit and the necessity to use computed tomography (CT) for treatment planning since both applicators are non-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatibles. To overcome these problems, a new template named Template Benidorm (TB) has been recently developed. Titanium needles are usually reconstructed based on their own artifacts, mainly in T1-weighted sequence, using the void on the tip as the needle tip position. Nevertheless, patient tissues surrounding the needles present heterogeneities that complicate the accurate identification of these …

Dosimetry revisited for the HDR I192r brachytherapy source model mHDR-v2

Purpose: Recently, the manufacturer of the HDR I 192 r mHDR-v2 brachytherapysource reported small design changes (referred to herein as mHDR-v2r) that are within the manufacturing tolerances but may alter the existing dosimetric data for this source. This study aimed to (1) check whether these changes affect the existing dosimetric data published for this source; (2) obtain new dosimetric data in close proximity to the source, including the contributions from I 192 r electrons and considering the absence of electronic equilibrium; and (3) obtain scatterdose components for collapsed cone treatment planning system implementation. Methods: Three different Monte Carlo(MC) radiation transport co…

Probabilities in nonorthogonal basis: Four--quark systems

Four-quark states may exist as colorless meson-meson molecules or compact systems with two-body colored components. We derive an analytical procedure to expand an arbitrary four-quark wave function in terms of nonorthogonal color singlet-singlet vectors. Using this expansion we develop the necessary formalism to evaluate the probability of physical components with an arbitrary four-quark wave function. Its application to characterize bound and unbound four-quark states as meson-meson, molecular, or compact systems is discussed

Multiquark structures in heavy-light meson systems

We look for possible signatures of multiquark structures in the heavy-light meson spectra. The controversial D s 0 ∗ ( 2317 ) and D s 1 ∗ ( 2460 ) states are properly described if considered as a mixture of conventional P-wave q q ¯ and four-quark components. The recently discovered D s J ∗ ( 2860 ) appears as the orthogonal partner of the D s 0 ∗ ( 2317 ) . Similar structures are predicted in the B s sector. We also consider the possible existence of isolated I = 1 four-quark resonances and we argue that their existence can disentangle the ϒ ( n S ) → ϒ ( m S ) π π decay puzzle.

VoxelMages: a general-purpose graphical interface for designing geometries and processing DICOM images for PENELOPE

The design and construction of geometries for Monte Carlo calculations is an error-prone, time-consuming, and complex step in simulations describing particle interactions and transport in the field of medical physics. The software VoxelMages has been developed to help the user in this task. It allows to design complex geometries and to process DICOM image files for simulations with the general-purpose Monte Carlo code PENELOPE in an easy and straightforward way. VoxelMages also allows to import DICOM-RT structure contour information as delivered by a treatment planning system. Its main characteristics, usage and performance benchmarking are described in detail.

Unraveling the pattern of the XYZ mesons

We present a plausible mechanism for the origin of the $XYZ$ mesons in the heavy meson spectra within a standard quark-model picture. We discuss the conditions required for the existence of four--quark bound states or resonances contributing to the heavy meson spectra, being either compact or molecular. We concentrate on charmonium and bottomonium spectra, where several new states, difficult to understand as simple quark-antiquark pairs, have been reported by different experimental collaborations. The pivotal role played by entangled meson-meson thresholds is emphasized.

Evaluation of the shielding in a treatment room with an electronic brachytherapy unit.

Esteya® (Elekta Brachytherapy, Veenendaal, The Netherlands) is an electronic brachytherapy (eBT) system based on a 69.5 kVp x-ray source and a set of collimators of 1 to 3 cm in diameter, used for treating non-melanoma skin cancer lesions. This study aims to estimate room shielding requirements for this unit. The non-primary (scattered and leakage) ambient dose equivalent rates were measured with a Berthold LB-133 monitor (Berthold Technologies, Bad Wildbad, Germany). The latter ranges from 17 mSv h-1 at 0.25 m distance from the x-ray source to 0.1 mSv h-1 at 2.5 m. The necessary room shielding was then estimated following US and some European guidelines. The room shielding for all barriers…

DOUBLY CHARMED MESONS

Doubly charmed mesons are studied within a quark model framework. We solve the four-quark Schor\"dinger equation by means of a variational approach by using different interacting potentials. Our results point to the existence of a stable isoscalar doubly charmed four-quark meson with quantum numbers $J^P=1^+$.

Four-quark spectroscopy within the hyperspherical formalism

We present a generalization of the hyperspherical harmonic formalism to study systems made of quarks and antiquarks of the same flavor. This generalization is based on the symmetrization of the $N-$body wave function with respect to the symmetric group using the Barnea and Novoselsky algorithm. The formalism is applied to study four-quark systems by means of a constituent quark model successful in the description of the two- and three-quark systems. The results are compared to those obtained by means of variational approaches. Our analysis shows that four-quark systems with exotic $0^{+-}$ and non-exotic $2^{++}$ quantum numbers may be bound independently of the mass of the quark. $2^{+-}$ …

Calibration of a thermoluminescent dosimeter worn over lead aprons in fluoroscopy guided procedures

Fluoroscopy guided interventional procedures provide remarkable benefits to patients. However, medical staff working near the scattered radiation field may be exposed to high cumulative equivalent doses, thus requiring shielding devices such as lead aprons and thyroid collars. In this situation, it remains an acceptable practice to derive equivalent doses to the eye lenses or other unprotected soft tissues with a dosimeter placed above these protective devices. Nevertheless, the radiation backscattered by the lead shield differs from that generated during dosimeter calibration with a water phantom. In this study, a passive personal thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) was modelled by means of …

Commissioning and periodic tests of the Esteya® electronic brachytherapy system

A new electronic brachytherapy unit from Elekta, called Esteya(®), has recently been introduced to the market. As a part of the standards in radiation oncology, an acceptance testing and commissioning must be performed prior to treatment of the first patient. In addition, a quality assurance program should be implemented. A complete commissioning and periodic testing of the Esteya(®) device using the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), Groupe Europeen de Curietherapie and the European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology (GEC-ESTRO) guidelines for linacs and brachytherapy units as well as our personal experience is described in this paper. In addition to the methodology, r…

String dynamics and metastability of fully-heavy tetraquarks

Multiquark states have been advocated to explain recent experimental data in the heavy-light sector, and there are already speculations about multiquarks containing only heavy quarks and antiquarks. With a rigorous treatment of the four-body problem in current quark models, full-charm $(cc\bar c\bar c)$ and full-beauty $(bb\bar b\bar b)$ tetraquarks are found to be unbound. Thus their stability should rely on more subtle effects that are not included in the simple picture of constituent quarks. The case of $(bc\bar b\bar c)$ might be more favorable if the naive color-additive model of confinement is replaced by a string-inspired interaction.

Screened potential and quarkonia properties at high temperatures

We perform a quark model calculation of the quarkonia b (b) over bar and c (c) over bar spectra using smooth and sudden string breaking potentials. The screening parameter is scale dependent and can be related to an effective running gluon mass that has a finite infrared fixed point. A temperature dependence for the screening mass is motivated by lattice QCD simulations at finite temperature. Qualitatively different results are obtained for quarkonia properties close to a critical value of the deconfining temperature when a smooth or a sudden string breaking potential is used. In particular, with a sudden string breaking potential quarkonia radii remain almost independent of the temperature…

Few-body insights of multiquark exotic hadrons

In this contribution we discuss the adequate treatment of the $4-$ and $5-$body dynamics within a constituent quark framework. We stress that the variational and Born-Oppenheimer approximations give energies rather close to the exact ones, while the diquark approximation might be rather misleading. Hall-Post inequalities provide very useful lower bounds that exclude possible stable states for some mass ratios and color wave functions.

Faddeev study of heavy baryon spectroscopy

16 pages, 3 figures.-- PACS nrs.: 12.39.Jh, 12.39.Pn, 14.20.-c.-- ISI Article Identifier: 000246249100015.-- ArXiv pre-print available at: http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-ph/0703257

Transit dose comparisons for60Co and192Ir HDR sources

The goal of this study is to evaluate the ambient dose due to the transit of high dose rate (HDR) 60Co sources along a transfer tube as compared to 192Ir ones in a realistic clinical scenario. This goal is accomplished by evaluating air-kerma differences with Monte Carlo calculations using PENELOPE2011. Scatter from both the afterloader and the patient was not taken into account. Two sources, mHDR-v2 and Flexisource Co-60, (Elekta Brachytherapy, Veenendaal, the Netherlands) have been considered. These sources were simulated within a standard transfer tube located in an infinite air phantom. The movement of the source was included by displacing their positions along the connecting tube from …

Evaluation of lens absorbed dose with Cone Beam IGRT procedures

The purpose of this work is to evaluate the absorbed dose to the eye lenses due to the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) system used to accurately position the patient during head-and-neck image guided procedures. The on-board imaging (OBI) systems (v.1.5) of Clinac iX and TrueBeam (Varian) accelerators were used to evaluate the imparted dose to the eye lenses and some additional points of the head. All CBCT scans were acquired with the Standard-Dose Head protocol from Varian. Doses were measured using thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) placed in an anthropomorphic phantom. TLDs were calibrated at the beam quality used to reduce their energy dependence. Average dose to the lens due to …

Towards clinical application of RayStretch for heterogeneity corrections in LDR permanent 125-I prostate brachytherapy

Purpose RayStretch is a simple algorithm proposed for heterogeneity corrections in low-dose–rate brachytherapy. It is built on top of TG-43 consensus data, and it has been validated with Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. In this study, we take a real clinical prostate implant with 71 125I seeds as reference and we apply RayStretch to analyze its performance in worst-case scenarios. Methods and Materials To do so, we design two cases where large calcifications are located in the prostate lobules. RayStretch resilience under various calcification density values is also explored. Comparisons against MC calculations are performed. Results Dose–volume histogram–related parameters like prostate D90, …

Comparison and uncertainty evaluation of different calibration protocols and ionization chambers for low-energy surface brachytherapy dosimetry

Purpose: A surface electronic brachytherapy (EBT) device is in fact an x-ray source collimated with specific applicators. Low-energy (<100 kVp) x-ray beam dosimetry faces several challenges that need to be addressed. A number of calibration protocols have been published for x-ray beam dosimetry. The media in which measurements are performed are the fundamental difference between them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface dose rate of a low-energy x-ray source with small field applicators using different calibration standards and different small-volume ionization chambers, comparing the values and uncertainties of each methodology. Methods: The surface dose rate of the EBT unit …

SU-E-T-467: Monte Carlo Dosimetric Study of the New Flexisource Co-60 High Dose Rate Source.

Recently, a new HDR 60Co brachytherapy source, Flexisource Co-60, has been developed (Nucletron B.V.). This study aims to obtain quality dosimetric data for this source for its use in clinical practice as required by AAPM and ESTRO.Penelope2008 and GEANT4 Monte Carlo codes were used to dosimetrically characterize this source. Water composition and mass density was that recommended by AAPM. Due to the high energy of the 60Co, dose for small distances cannot be approximated by collisional kerma. Therefore, we have considered absorbed dose to water for r0.75 cm and collisional kerma from 0.75r20 cm. To provide adequate spatial resolution, cells were 0.01 cm in thickness for r2 cm from the sour…

Adiabaticity and color mixing in tetraquark spectroscopy

We revisit the role of color mixing in the quark model calculation of tetraquark states, and compare simple pairwise potentials to more elaborate string models with three-and four-body forces. We attempt to disentangle the improved dynamics of confinement from the approximations made in the treatment of the internal color degrees of freedom.

SU-F-T-13: Transit Dose Comparisons for Co-60 and Ir-192 HDR Sources

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the transit dose due to the movement of high dose rate (HDR) Ir-192 and Co-60 sources along the transfer tube. This is performed by evaluating air-kerma differences in the vicinity of the transfer tube when both sources are moved with the same velocity from a HDR brachytherapy afterloader into a patient. Methods: Monte Carlo simulations have been performed using PENELOPE2014. mHDR-v2 and Flexisource sources have been considered. Collisional kerma has been scored. The sources were simulated within a plastic catheter located in an infinite air phantom. The movement of the seed was included by displacing their positions along the connecting cath…

Spectroscopy, lifetime and decay modes of the Tbb− tetraquark

Abstract We present the first full-fledged study of the flavor-exotic isoscalar T b b − ≡ b b u ¯ d ¯ tetraquark with spin and parity J P = 1 + . We report accurate solutions of the four-body problem in a quark model, characterizing the structure of the state as a function of the ratio M Q / m q of the heavy to light quark masses. For such a standard constituent model, T b b − lies approximately 150 MeV below the strong decay threshold B − B ⁎ ¯ 0 and 105 MeV below the electromagnetic decay threshold B − B ¯ 0 γ . We evaluate the lifetime of T b b − , identifying the promising decay modes where the tetraquark might be looked for in future experiments. Its total decay width is Γ ≈ 87 × 10 − …

Eye lens equivalent dose in interventional neuroradiology based on OSL dosimetry

Over the past years there has been an increase in the assessment of eye lens doses in interventional radiology procedures. This is due to the new recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP-2012 Publication 118) that proposes to reduce equivalent dose limit for the eye lens. The aim of this study is to make estimates of equivalent dose received by eye lens of the medical staff in interventional neuroradiology procedures. Consequently, this study presents an alternative for eye lens dosimetry. For this purpose nanoDot dosimeters based on optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) technology from Landauer Inc. product were used. The measurements obtained for …

Four-quark stability

The physics of charm has become one of the best laboratories exposing the limitations of the naive constituent quark model and also giving hints into a more mature description of meson spectroscopy, beyond the simple quark--antiquark configurations. In this talk we review some recent studies of multiquark components in the charm sector and discuss in particular exotic and non-exotic four-quark systems, both with pairwise and many-body forces.

A simple analytical method for heterogeneity corrections in low dose rate prostate brachytherapy

In low energy brachytherapy, the presence of tissue heterogeneities contributes significantly to the discrepancies observed between treatment plan and delivered dose. In this work, we present a simplified analytical dose calculation algorithm for heterogeneous tissue. We compare it with Monte Carlo computations and assess its suitability for integration in clinical treatment planning systems. The algorithm, named as RayStretch, is based on the classic equivalent path length method and TG-43 reference data. Analytical and Monte Carlo dose calculations using Penelope2008 are compared for a benchmark case: a prostate patient with calcifications. The results show a remarkable agreement between …

Monte Carlo calculation of beam quality correction factors for PTW cylindrical ionization chambers in photon beams.

The beam quality correction factor k Q for megavoltage photon beams has been calculated for eight PTW (Freiburg, Germany) ionization chambers (Farmer chambers PTW30010, PTW30011, PTW30012, and PTW30013, Semiflex 3D chambers PTW31021, PTW31010, and PTW31013, and the PinPoint 3D chamber PTW31016). Simulations performed on the widely used NE-2571 ionization chamber have been used to benchmark the results. The Monte Carlo code PENELOPE/penEasy was used to calculate the absorbed dose to a point in water and the absorbed dose to the active air volume of the chambers for photon beams in the range 4 to 24 MV. Of the nine ionization chambers analysed, only five are included in the current version of…

Lifetime and dominant decay modes of the tetraquark with double beauty bbu¯d¯

Charmonium spectroscopy above thresholds

We present a systematic and self-consistent analysis of four-quark charmonium states and applied it to study compact four-quark systems and meson-meson molecules. Our results are robust and should serve to clarify the situation of charmonium spectroscopy above the threshold production of charmed mesons.

A generic high-dose rate192Ir brachytherapy source for evaluation of model-based dose calculations beyond the TG-43 formalism

Purpose: In order to facilitate a smooth transition for brachytherapy dose calculations from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group No. 43 (TG-43) formalism to model-b ...

Correction factors for ionization chamber measurements with the ‘Valencia’ and ‘large field Valencia’ brachytherapy applicators

Treatment of small skin lesions using HDR brachytherapy applicators is a widely used technique. The shielded applicators currently available in clinical practice are based on a tungsten-alloy cup that collimates the source-emitted radiation into a small region, hence protecting nearby tissues. The goal of this manuscript is to evaluate the correction factors required for dose measurements with a plane-parallel ionization chamber typically used in clinical brachytherapy for the 'Valencia' and 'large field Valencia' shielded applicators. Monte Carlo simulations have been performed using the PENELOPE-2014 system to determine the absorbed dose deposited in a water phantom and in the chamber act…

Air-kerma evaluation at the maze entrance of HDR brachytherapy facilities.

In the absence of procedures for evaluating the design of brachytherapy (BT) facilities for radiation protection purposes, the methodology used for external beam radiotherapy facilities is often adapted. The purpose of this study is to adapt the NCRP 151 methodology for estimating the air-kerma rate at the door in BT facilities. Such methodology was checked against Monte Carlo (MC) techniques using the code Geant4. Five different facility designs were studied for (192)Ir and (60)Co HDR applications to account for several different bunker layouts.For the estimation of the lead thickness needed at the door, the use of transmission data for the real spectra at the door instead of the ones emit…

Few-body quark dynamics for doubly heavy baryons and tetraquarks

We discuss the adequate treatment of the 3- and 4-body dynamics for the quark model picture of double-charm baryons and tetraquarks. We stress that the variational and Born-Oppenheimer approximations give energies very close to the exact ones, while the diquark approximation might be rather misleading. The Hall-Post inequalities also provide very useful lower bounds that exclude the possibility of stable tetraquarks for some mass ratios and some color wave functions.

Spectroscopy of doubly charmed baryons

We study the mass spectrum of baryons with two and three charmed quarks. For double charm baryons the spin splitting is found to be smaller than standard quark-model potential predictions. This splitting is not influenced either by the particular form of the confining potential or by the regularization taken for the contact term of the spin-spin potential. We consistently predict the spectra for triply charmed baryons.

Dosimetric Deviation of Leipzig and Valencia Skin Applicators When Used without Cap

Exotic meson-meson molecules and compact four-quark states

PACS numbers: 12.39.Jh, 14.40.Lb, 21.45.-v, 31.15.xj.-- ArXiv pre-print avaible at: http://arxiv.org/abs/0903.2949v1

Assaying multiple 125 I seeds with the well-ionization chamber SourceCheck 4π 33005 and a new insert

PURPOSE To provide a practical solution that can be adopted in clinical routine to fulfill the AAPM-ESTRO recommendations regarding quality assurance of seeds used in prostate permanent brachytherapy. The aim is to design a new insert for the well-ionization chamber SourceCheck(4π) 33005 (PTW, Germany) that allows evaluating the mean air-kerma strength of up to ten (125)I seeds with one single measurement instead of measuring each seed individually. MATERIAL AND METHODS The material required is: a) the SourceCheck(4π) 33005 well-ionization chamber provided with a PTW insert to measure the air-kerma strength S K of one single seed at a time; b) a newly designed insert that accommodates ten s…

Commissioning and quality assurance procedures for the HDR Valencia skin applicators

The Valencia applicators (Nucletron, an Elekta company, Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden) are cup-shaped tungsten applicators with a flattening filter used to collimate the radiation produced by a high-dose-rate (HDR) 192 Ir source, and provide a homogeneous absorbed dose at a given depth. This beam quality provides a good option for the treatment of skin lesions at shallow depth (3-4 mm). The user must perform commissioning and periodic testing of these applicators to guarantee the proper and safe delivery of the intended absorbed dose, as recommended in the standards in radiation oncology. In this study, based on AAPM and GEC-ESTRO guidelines for brachytherapy units and our experience, a set …

Heavy-baryon quark model picture from lattice QCD

The ground state and excited spectra of baryons containing three identical heavy quarks, $b$ or $c$, have been recently calculated in nonperturbative lattice QCD. The energy of positive and negative parity excitations has been determined with high precision. Lattice results constitute a unique opportunity to learn about the quark-confinement mechanism as well as elucidating our knowledge about the nature of the strong force. We analyze the nonperturbative lattice QCD results by means of heavy-quark static potentials derived using SU(3) lattice QCD. We make use of different numerical techniques for the three-body problem.

Hyperspherical harmonic formalism for tetraquarks

5 pages, 2 tables.-- ISI Article Identifier: 000250926800050.-- ArXiv pre-print available at: http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-ph/0610124

Angular Pseudomomentum Theory for the Generalized Nonlinear Schr\"{o}dinger Equation in Discrete Rotational Symmetry Media

We develop a complete mathematical theory for the symmetrical solutions of the generalized nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation based on the new concept of angular pseudomomentum. We consider the symmetric solitons of a generalized nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation with a nonlinearity depending on the modulus of the field. We provide a rigorous proof of a set of mathematical results justifying that these solitons can be classified according to the irreducible representations of a discrete group. Then we extend this theory to non-stationary solutions and study the relationship between angular momentum and pseudomomentum. We illustrate these theoretical results with numerical examples. Finally, we…