Energy Spectra and Dose Distributions of a Medical Linear Electron Accelerator Simulated with BEAM/EGS4 and MCNP

Abstract

The energy distribution of photons from a medical linear electron accelerator is an important characteristic of a radiotherapy photon beam. The knowledge of clinical beams is essential for dosimetry, treatment planning, and design of an accelerator. We are especially interested in the response of various dosimetry devices towards radiation. Knowledge of the energy spectrum is important since the response of these devices is generally energy dependent, thus varies with depth in the irradiated material.