An assessment of the characteristics of n-type diodes for use in electron beam radiotherapy

Abstract

Diodes are now commercially available for use in electron beams. This paper aims to assess their response and limitations under different clinical conditions. Parameters considered were applicator factors, focus skin distance (FSD), angle of incidence, and temperature dependence. The beam perturbation was also measured. The beam energies used varied from 5 to 17 MeV. Applicator factors, measured at the surface of a phantom, differed by up to 7% compared with ion chamber measurements at D max. Similarly, large differences were found in FSD dependence. The temperature dependence was found to be approximately double the manufacturer’s specification at 0.7% per degree Centigrade and the angular dependence was within the specification of ± 2% for angles of ± 30°. The beam perturbation was measured as a maximum of 25% for 5-MeV electrons. The measurements were compared to other published data but this is highly dependent on the methodology employed. It was concluded that the diodes could be used in some circumstances, but only if used with extreme caution. An extensive set of commissioning measurements would be required before introducing the diodes into use clinically.