Unexpectedly large dose rate dependent output from a linear accelerator

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · Med. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1118/1.596192· OSTI ID:6841196

Cheng, P; Kubo, H

During our routine calibration of a Varian Clinac-20 linear accelerator, the absorbed dose for a fixed monitor unit (mu) was found to decrease with increasing dose rate. Between dose rates of 100 and 500 mu/min, there was up to 20% difference in absorbed dose for a 20-MeV electron beam. The cause of this problem was a failure in the electronics circuit of an integrating board. This paper presents our analysis of the problem and suggests a possible means of isolating such a failure to warn technologists, physicists, and engineers.

• Research Organization: Department of Radiation Oncology, Albany Medical College and Veterans Administration Hospital, Albany, New York 12208
• OSTI ID: 6841196
• Journal Information: Med. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 15:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
ELECTRON DOSIMETRY
DOSE RATES
LINEAR ACCELERATORS
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
MONITORING
RADIOTHERAPY
CALIBRATION
ELECTRON BEAMS
FAILURES
MEV RANGE 10-100
ACCELERATORS
BEAMS
DOSIMETRY
ENERGY RANGE
LEPTON BEAMS
MEDICINE
MEV RANGE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
PARTICLE BEAMS
RADIOLOGY
THERAPY
430100* - Particle Accelerators- Design
Development
& Operation