Dr. Fernando Brandi Profile

Dr. Fernando Brandi

Researcher at Istituto Nazionale di Ottica

SPIE Involvement:

Author

Area of Expertise:

laser matter interaction , laser processing , interferometry , nonlinear optics , nanotechnology , nanobiotechnology

Publications (6)

Proceedings Article | 9 June 2023 Presentation

Perspectives for application of sub 10-MeV laser-driven proton beams: PIXE and medical radioisotopes production (Conference Presentation)

Martina Salvadori, Federica Baffigi, Damiano Del Sarto, Lorenzo Fulgentini, Petra Koester, Andrea Marasciulli, Fernando Brandi, Luca Umberto Labate, Leonida Antonio Gizzi

Proceedings Volume PC12579, PC125790T (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2669179

KEYWORDS: Radioisotopes, Biomedical applications, Simulations, Laser irradiation, Magnetism, Ion irradiation, Positron emission tomography, Medical imaging, Laser systems engineering, Laser applications

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The advance in laser-driven accelerators is progressively allowing to consider these sources for many different applications. Indeed, relatively compact laser systems can deliver few joules on target reaching intensities of 1019 Wcm-2. Such lasers are present in many facilities and are nowadays available as standard products for purchase. The capability of exploiting these sources would thus be beneficial also in terms of larger availability for users willing to leverage proton irradiation. In this regime, the Target Normal Sheath acceleration (TNSA) is routinely triggered and provides few MeV of protons in short bunches, delivering high dose per shot. Nevertheless, the accelerated proton beam is typically characterized by a divergence of 15° half-angle. Thus, for its effective employment, it is necessary to implement a magnetic transport line to transfer the protons from the TNSA source to the irradiation site. This issue has been faced by many groups and a cost-effective, compact magnetic beamline (hereinafter MBL) has been proposed in a previous work to sensibly enhance the proton flux on secondary targets for protons energy up to 10 MeV. Geant4 simulations were carried out to assess the feasibility of using an upgraded version of the mentioned MBL to employ laser-driven accelerator as proton source for in-air irradiation of secondary targets. The great versatility of this approach allows to explore multiple irradiation schemes that can be involved in different applications such as Ion Beam Analysis (in particular here we refer to PIXE and XRF) and radioisotope production for PET scan. The outcomes of the simulations were used for the preparation of two dedicated experimental campaigns on the two thematics. Here we present the obtained results and compare them with simulation. The main achievements are then discussed taking as reference the performance of the currently adopted methodologies, reporting on the main advantages and limits of laser-driven sources with respect to conventional one.

Proceedings Article | 18 April 2021 Presentation

Perspectives for effective applications of laser-driven Very High Energy Electrons in medicine and biology

Luca Labate, Daniele Palla, Daniele Panetta, M. Avella, Federica Baffigi, Fernando Brandi, Fabio Di Martino, Lorenzo Fulgentini, Antonio Giulietti, Petra Koester, Davide Terzani, Paolo Tomassini, Claudio Traino, Leonida Gizzi

Proceedings Volume 11790, 1179009 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2596504

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The direct use of so-called Very High Energy Electrons for radiotherapy is currently deserving a renewed and growing attention. This is mostly due to the recent emergence of the so-called FLASH effect in radiobiology [1], consisting in a surprising reduction of adverse effects on healthy tissue by ionizing radiation when dose delivery occurs at very high average dose rates (greater than a few tens of Gy/s). In order for a real clinical translation of this new protocol in the clinical practice, the development of novel kind of ionizing radiation sources featuring such very high dose rates, which are basically hindered by the relatively low Bremsstrahlung conversion efficiency in current machines, is considered as an essential step. With this respect, laser-driven accelerators of Very High Energy Electron (VHEE) beams, with energy in the range 100-250 MeV, are regarded as one of the most promising tool [2]. Furthermore, both early studies, dating back to 1990s, and more recent works suggest that an improved dose deposition pattern can be expected from electron beams, as compared to photon beams, when the very high energy region is reached. In this talk, we report on a recent experiment aimed at assessing dose deposition for deep seated tumors using advanced irradiation schemes, typical of current radiotherapy protocols, with an existing laser-driven VHEE source [3]. In particular, our measurements showed control of localized dose deposition and modulation, suitable to target a volume at depths in the range from 5 to 10 cm with mm resolution. Based on this experimental findings and on further numerical simulations, we also discuss the features and potentialities of laser-driven VHEE sources for radiobiology experiments aimed at deepening the understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the FLASH effect. The main requirements and the perspectives for a longer term translation of an electron-based radiotherapy into the real clinical practice will be also addressed. [1] M.-C. Vozenin et al., Biological Benefits of Ultra-high Dose Rate FLASH Radiotherapy: Sleeping Beauty Awoken, Clin. Oncol. 31 (2019), 407 [2] A. Giulietti (Eds), Laser-Driven Particle Acceleration Towards Radiobiology and Medicine, Springer (2016) [3] L. Labate et al., Toward an effective use of laser‐driven very high energy electrons for radiotherapy: Feasibility assessment of multi‐field and intensity modulation irradiation schemes, Sci. Rep. 10 (2020), 17307

Proceedings Article | 23 May 2013 Paper

Second-harmonic interferometry with high spatial resolution: a robust method towards quantitative phase imaging of transparent dispersive materials

F. Brandi, F. Conti, M. Tiberi, F. Giammanco, A. Diaspro

Proceedings Volume 8792, 87921K (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2020846

KEYWORDS: Spatial resolution, Interferometers, Phase shifts, Interferometry, Phase measurement, Second-harmonic generation, Phase imaging, Sensors, Polarization, Nd:YAG lasers

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Proceedings Article | 23 May 2013 Paper

Characterization of a bioinspired elastin-polypropylene fumarate material for vascular prostheses applications

Silvia Scaglione, Rossella Barenghi, Szabolcs Beke, Luca Ceseracciu, Ilaria Romano, Francesca Sbrana, Paola Stagnaro, Fernando Brandi, Massimo Vassalli

Proceedings Volume 8792, 87920H (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2021754

KEYWORDS: Scanning electron microscopy, Coating, Polymers, Glasses, Biomimetics, Tissues, Microfabrication, Quartz, Micromachining, Surgery

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Proceedings Article | 5 April 2011 Paper

Optical characterization of silicon nanoparticle obtained via femtosecond laser ablation in deionized water

R. Intartaglia, K. Bagga, F. Brandi, G. Das, A. Genovese, E. Di Fabrizio, A. Diaspro

Proceedings Volume 7922, 79220P (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.882079

KEYWORDS: Nanoparticles, Silicon, Laser ablation, Transmission electron microscopy, Absorption, Raman spectroscopy, Semiconductor lasers, Femtosecond phenomena, Crystals, Particles

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Showing 5 of 6 publications

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