Performance study of a novel 2D imaging beta detector for medical applications

The ISOLPHARM project is investigating a novel technology for producing beta-emitter radionuclides with high-purity mass selection at the SPES facility (LNL) to produce radiopharmaceuticals with high specific activity. The project currently focuses on Ag-111, a beta/gamma emitter with potential theranostic use. In this context, the Padova group is developing a new instrument to measure beta activity with high spatial resolution on planar cell cultures using the ALPIDE chips, MAPS detectors developed for the ITS of the ALICE experiment at CERN. The ALPIDE chips will be arranged in a compact planar geometry to create a detector that can measure beta radioactivity in close contact with planar cell cultures in slides or scaffolds, providing 2D activity images with high spatial resolution. This technology will have the potential to investigate the internalization of the ISOLPHARM radiopharmaceutical prototype for future in-vitro experiments. The performance and limits of the detector will be assessed through simulation of the whole system in GEANT4, providing insights into the design of the final setup and potential applications of this instrument.