Implementing a newly proposed Monte Carlo based small field dosimetry formalism for a comprehensive set of diode detectors

Journal Article · Thu Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 2011 · Medical Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1118/1.3658572· OSTI ID:22098697

Cranmer-Sargison, G.; Weston, S.; Evans, J. A.; Sidhu, N. P.; Thwaites, D. I. ^[1]

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1. Department of Medical Physics, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 4H4 (Canada) and Division of Medical Physics, Leeds Institute of Genetics, Health and Therapeutics, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT (United Kingdom)

Purpose: The goal of this work was to implement a recently proposed small field dosimetry formalism [Alfonso et al., Med. Phys. 35(12), 5179-5186 (2008)] for a comprehensive set of diode detectors and provide the required Monte Carlo generated factors to correct measurement. Methods: Jaw collimated square small field sizes of side 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, and 3.0 cm normalized to a reference field of 5.0 cm x 5.0 cm were used throughout this study. Initial linac modeling was performed with electron source parameters at 6.0, 6.1, and 6.2 MeV with the Gaussian FWHM decreased in steps of 0.010 cm from 0.150 to 0.100 cm. DOSRZnrc was used to develop models of the IBA stereotactic field diode (SFD) as well as the PTW T60008, T60012, T60016, and T60017 field diodes. Simulations were run and isocentric, detector specific, output ratios (OR{sub det}) calculated at depths of 1.5, 5.0, and 10.0 cm. This was performed using the following source parameter subset: 6.1 and 6.2 MeV with a FWHM = 0.100, 0.110, and 0.120 cm. The source parameters were finalized by comparing experimental detector specific output ratios with simulation. Simulations were then run with the active volume and surrounding materials set to water and the replacement correction factors calculated according to the newly proposed formalism. Results: In all cases, the experimental field size widths (at the 50% level) were found to be smaller than the nominal, and therefore, the simulated field sizes were adjusted accordingly. At a FWHM = 0.150 cm simulation produced penumbral widths that were too broad. The fit improved as the FWHM was decreased, yet for all but the smallest field size worsened again at a FWHM = 0.100 cm. The simulated OR{sub det} were found to be greater than, equivalent to and less than experiment for spot size FWHM = 0.100, 0.110, and 0.120 cm, respectively. This is due to the change in source occlusion as a function of FWHM and field size. The corrections required for the 0.5 cm field size were 0.95 ({+-}1.0%) for the SFD, T60012 and T60017 diodes and 0.90 ({+-}1.0%) for the T60008 and T60016 diodes--indicating measured output ratios to be 5% and 10% high, respectively. Our results also revealed the correction factors to be the same within statistical variation at all depths considered. Conclusions: A number of general conclusions are evident: (1) small field OR{sub det} are very sensitive to the simulated source parameters, and therefore, rigorous Monte Carlo linac model commissioning, with respect to measurement, must be pursued prior to use, (2) backscattered dose to the monitor chamber should be included in simulated OR{sub det} calculations, (3) the corrections required for diode detectors are design dependent and therefore detailed detector modeling is required, and (4) the reported detector specific correction factors may be applied to experimental small field OR{sub det} consistent with those presented here.

• OSTI ID: 22098697
• Journal Information: Medical Physics, Vol. 38, Issue 12; Other Information: (c) 2011 American Association of Physicists in Medicine; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-2405
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
BERYLLIUM 5
COLLIMATORS
COMMISSIONING
CORRECTIONS
DESIGN
DOSIMETRY
ELECTRON SOURCES
GAUSS FUNCTION
LINEAR ACCELERATORS
MEV RANGE 01-10
MONTE CARLO METHOD
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOTHERAPY
SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTORS
SIMULATION
WATER