Laser-Radiooncology

Dr. rer. nat. Jörg Pawelke Group Leader Joerg.Pawelke[at]Oncoray.de

Ion beams are most suitable for high precision radiotherapy treatment of cancer due to their favourable physical and radiobiological properties. However, there are only few ion therapy facilities running world wide due to the complexity, large scale and high investment cost of classical facilities consisting of cyclotrons or synchrotrons and electromagnetic beam deliveries.

Particle acceleration based on high intensity, ultra shortly pulsed lasers represents a rapidly evolving new technology. It promises the development of ion accelerators of compact size and reasonable costs which may be integrated into existing hospitals and to extend ion radiotherapy to all patients who would benefit from its favourable properties.

The joint project onCOOPtics – high intensity lasers for radiooncology – aims at laser driven ion radiotherapy facilities and is pursued in close cooperation between the two centres of innovation OncoRay in Dresden and ultra optics in Jena. It combines two necessary, complementary research topics, the development of high intensity optics and laser technology by ultra optics and OncoRay’s research on laser radiooncology. Here, the group is particularly focused on the consequences of laser driven, and therefore, ultrashortly pulsed particle beams with respect to their

I    detection and dosimetry,
II   radiobiological effects,
III  delivery as therapeutic beams.