We propose a new methodology for the fabrication and evaluation of scintillating detector elements using a consumer grade fusion deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer. In this study we performed a comprehensive investigation into both the effects of the 3D printing process on the scintillation light output of 3D printed plastic scintillation dosimeters (PSDs) and their associated dosimetric properties. Fabrication properties including print variability, layer thickness, anisotropy and extrusion temperature were assessed for 1 cm3 printed samples. We then examined the stability, dose linearity, dose rate proportionality, energy dependence and reproducibility of the 3D printed PSDs compared to benchmarks set by commercially available products. Experimental results indicate that the shape of the emission spectrum of the 3D printed PSDs do not show significant spectral differences when compared to the emission spectrum of the commercial sample. However, the magnitude of scintillation light output was found to be strongly dependent on the parameters of the fabrication process. Dosimetric testing indicates that the 3D printed PSDs share many desirable properties with current commercially available PSDs such as dose linearity, dose rate independence, energy independence in the MV range, repeatability, and stability. These results demonstrate that not only does 3D printing offer a new avenue for the production and manufacturing of PSDs but also allows for further investigation into the application of 3D printing in dosimetry. Such investigations could include options for 3D printed, patient-specific scintillating dosimeters that may be used as standalone dosimeters or incorporated into existing 3D printed patient devices (e.g. bolus or immobilization) used during the delivery of radiation therapy.

中文翻译：

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新型 3D 打印塑料闪烁剂量计的表征

我们提出了一种使用消费级融合沉积建模 (FDM) 3D 打印机制造和评估闪烁探测器元件的新方法。在这项研究中，我们对 3D 打印过程对 3D 打印塑料闪烁剂量计 (PSD) 的闪烁光输出的影响及其相关的剂量特性进行了全面调查。评估了 1 cm3 打印样品的制造性能，包括打印可变性、层厚度、各向异性和挤出温度。然后，我们与市售产品设定的基准相比，检查了 3D 打印 PSD 的稳定性、剂量线性、剂量率比例、能量依赖性和可重复性。实验结果表明，与商业样品的发射光谱相比，3D 打印 PSD 的发射光谱形状没有显示出显着的光谱差异。然而，发现闪烁光输出的大小强烈依赖于制造过程的参数。剂量学测试表明，3D 打印的 PSD 与当前市售的 PSD 具有许多理想的特性，例如剂量线性、剂量率独立性、MV 范围内的能量独立性、可重复性和稳定性。这些结果表明，3D 打印不仅为 PSD 的生产和制造提供了新的途径，而且还允许进一步研究 3D 打印在剂量学中的应用。此类调查可能包括 3D 打印选项，