Collection and analysis of photon beam data for Varian C-series linear accelerators: a potential reference beam data set.

Abstract

This study aimed to collect and analyze photon beam data for the Varian C-series linear accelerators (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA, USA). We evaluated the potential of the average data to be used as reference beam data for the radiotherapy treatment planning system commissioning verification. We collected 20 data sets for 4 and 6 MV photon beams, and 40 data sets for a 10 MV photon beam generated by the Varian C-series machines, which contained the percent depth dose (PDD), off-center ratio (OCR), and output factor (OPF) from 20 institutions. The average for each of the data types was calculated across the 20 machines. Dose differences from the average for PDD at the dose fall-off region were less than 1.0%. Relative differences from the average for the OPF data were almost within 1.0% for all energies and field sizes. For OCR data in the flat regions, the standard deviation of the dose differences from the average was within 1.0%, excluding that of the 30 × 30 mm2 field size being approximately 1.5%. For all energies and field sizes, the distance to agreement from the average in the OCR penumbra regions was less than 1.0mm. The average data except for the small field size found in this study can be used as reference beam data for verifying users' commissioning results.