Experimental energy response verification of XR type T radiochromic film

Abstract

This short note investigates the energy response characteristics of a relatively new high sensitivity radiochromic film (XR type T) and compares it to other radiochromic and radiographic films and thermoluminescent dosimeters. Results show that the energy response of the new XR type T film is relatively large over the range of therapeutic energies from 50 kVp superficial x-ray treatment to 18 MV high energy radiotherapy treatment. When normalized to 1 at a standard 6 MV radiotherapy x-ray energy the XR type T film produced a normalized dose response of approximately 6 in the energy range of 30 keV to 70 keV thus representing an increase in sensitivity at lower energies similar to that observed for radiographic x-ray films. This is quite different from previous versions of Gafchromic film where the energy response of the film decreases at lower energies down to levels approximately 0.6–0.7 for the same effective energies. This type of film has been optimized for use in diagnostic energy ranges producing a relatively uniform dose response in the 30 keV to 70 keV range.