Physical characteristics of photon and electron beams from a dual energy linear accelerator. 1995

A K Sharma, and S S Supe, and N Anantha, and K Subbarangaiah
Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India.

Clinically pertinent data of the photon beams of nominal energy 6 MV and 18 MV from a dual photon energy linear accelerator are measured using a radiation field analyser with semiconductor diodes and ionisation chambers. Percentage depth dose values are compared with available data from other linacs and BJR-17. Measurements made in the buildup region using a parallel plate chamber show a marked increase in the surface dose and dmax shifts by 3 mm and 14 mm for 6 MV and 18 MV photons, respectively as the field size is increased from 4 x 4 cm2 to the maximum. Variations of wedge angles with energy and field size are also determined up to wedge widths of 15 cm for all the four available wedge angles. Isodose plots of both the energies are plotted using semiconductor diodes in a RFA-3 system. Output factors, wedge transmission factors, and shielding tray factors were also measured in clear polystyrene phantom for both the photon energies at the depths of maximum ionisation. Beam characteristics of the electron beams of energies 6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV produced by the Clinac-1800 have also been studied. The characteristics include percentage depth dose, isodose distribution, depth of maximum dose, surface dose, photon contamination, uniformity index, and penumbra. Most of the measurements were carried out using semiconductor detectors, whereas small volume ionization chambers and a plane-parallel chamber were kept as standards for comparison. Isodose distributions were drawn from the film densitometry method. Range-energy parameters are obtained from the observed depth dose data. These parameters vary from machine to machine and must be ascertained for individual units. The parameters differ to a considerable extent from their theoretically predicted values but generally follow the trend, experimentally observed by others, for similar types of units.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010315 Particle Accelerators Devices which accelerate electrically charged atomic or subatomic particles, such as electrons, protons or ions, to high velocities so they have high kinetic energy. Betatrons,Linear Accelerators,Accelerator, Linear,Accelerator, Particle,Accelerators, Linear,Accelerators, Particle,Betatron,Linear Accelerator,Particle Accelerator
D004583 Electrons Stable elementary particles having the smallest known negative charge, present in all elements; also called negatrons. Positively charged electrons are called positrons. The numbers, energies and arrangement of electrons around atomic nuclei determine the chemical identities of elements. Beams of electrons are called CATHODE RAYS. Fast Electrons,Negatrons,Positrons,Electron,Electron, Fast,Electrons, Fast,Fast Electron,Negatron,Positron
D017785 Photons Discrete concentrations of energy, apparently massless elementary particles, that move at the speed of light. They are the unit or quantum of electromagnetic radiation. Photons are emitted when electrons move from one energy state to another. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th ed)

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