Relative Output Factors Research Articles

Tissue maximum ratios (and other parameters) of small circular 4,6,10,15 and 24 MV X-ray beams for radiosurgery

Dosimetric characteristics of 4,6,10,15 and 24 MV circular X-ray beams ranging in size from 10 to 40 mm are reported. These characteristics include the measurement of TMR, beam profiles and relative output factors. Measurements of these parameters were performed in a solid water phantom using film, a small diode, small parallel-plate and cylindrical ionization chambers and TLD. Comparison of relative dose measurements of small, circular beams performed using these detectors showed that the small diode, film and TLD results consistently agreed for circular beams as small as 10 mm diameter. Beam profiles were measured using film dosimetry. Comparison of TMR values of a 10 mm diameter beam measured using film and a small parallel-plate ionization chamber showed no significant differences. Tertiary collimators designed with tapered, divergence-matching holes, and straight-drilled holes have been used for radiosurgery applications. Measurement of beam penumbra produced with either of these types of tertiary collimators showed minimal differences between them.

Dosimetric aspects of a 3.3‐MV linear accelerator

Both the design considerations and the dosimetric properties of the Siemens Model 5800 linear accelerator are discussed. This unit is of such an energy (3.3 MV) as to imitate Cobalt-60 teletherapy depth doses. A linear relation of dmax to depth dose at low energies was found for various wave guides and targets. The energy of the unit can be characterized by its nominal accelerating potential of 2.70 MV, its d80 of 5.3 cm, its first half-value layer of 0.8 cm lead and the measured energy of the electron beam at 3.3 MeV. The following selected commissioning aspects are reported: central axis depth dose, relative output factors, beam profiles, wedge factors, virtual source position, back scatter factors, penumbra and build-up region.

Film dosimetry of small elongated electron beams for treatment planning

The characteristics of 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, and 18 Mev electron beams for small elongated fields of dimensions L X W (where L = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 cm; and W = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 cm) have been studied. Film dosimetry and parallel-plate ion chamber measurements have been used to obtain various dose parameters. Selective results of a series of systematic measurements for central axis depth dose data, uniformity index, field flatness, and relative output factors of small elongated electron beams are reported. The square-root method is employed to predict the beam data of small elongated electron fields from corresponding small square electron fields using film dosimetry. The single parameter area/perimeter radio A/P is used to characterize the relative output factors of elongated electron beams. It is our conclusion that for clinical treatment planning square-root method may be applied with caution in determining the beam characteristics of small elongated electron fields from film dosimetry. The calculated and estimated relative output factors from square-root method and A/P ratio are in good agreement and show agreement to within 1% with the measured film values.

An empirical formula for calculating the output factors of electron beams from a therac 20 linear accelerator.

A polynomial formula, deduced from the data published by Mills et al. [Med. Phys. 12, 473 (1985)], in predicting the relative electron beam output factors, is presented in this report. This formula contains four parameters. By choosing four measured output factors, from four field sizes normalized at the field size of (10,10), the values of these parameters can be determined. A comparison of the factors predicted with this formula and the values measured by Mills et al. shows that the differences between the field sizes of (4,4) to (30,30) are 0.5% or less in 31 out of 35 field sizes. All the 35 field sizes are within 1% for an electron beam of 20 MeV. With 6-MeV electron beams, the differences are 0.5% or less in 26 out of 35 field sizes, and 1% or less in 31 out of 35 field sizes. Those having differences greater than 1% have either a small field size (5 cm) or a large field size (20 cm). Considering that this formula requires only four accurately measured relative output factors, one can predict the factors of any field within an acceptable accuracy. The calculation is easy with a scientific hand calculator. This formula provides major improvement over the other methods which require many measurements to be taken in order to interpolate with acceptable accuracy.

Output factor constituents of a high-energy photon beam.

Measurements designed to separate primary and various scatter components of central axis dose of the highest energy photon beam of the CGR Saturne 25 linear accelerator are described. This beam has an unusually large output variation with field size. The measurements are performed both in air and in a water phantom, with and without an aperture external to the collimator system. Results are presented in the form of relative output factors for different field sizes due to (i) flattening filter scatter, (ii) water phantom scatter, (iii) collimator backscatter into the monitor chamber, and (iv) collimator forward scatter onto the central axis. It is found that the flattening filter is the single largest scatter component, but that each of the other factors is significant in determining the output dose per monitor unit as a function of field size.

Properties of the 18-MV photon beam from a dual energy linear accelerator.

The beam characteristics of the 18-MV photon beam of a Varian Clinac 1800 are presented. The clinically relevant parameters of central axis depth dose, tissue-phantom ratios, peak-scatter factors, and relative output factors are discussed and compared to 18-MV beam data previously reported. The nominal beam energy was found to be 18.3 +/- 0.8 MV on the central axis. The beam symmetry and uniformity meet the manufacturer's specifications. The inverse-square law is applicable within 1.4% over the clinically useful range of distances and field sizes. An empirical fit equation for the central axis depth dose is presented.

Performance characteristics of an orthovoltage x-ray therapy machine.

Performance characteristics sufficient to provide physical data base specific to the Siemen's Stabilipan 2 orthovoltage x-ray therapy machine are presented. Operating conditions covering the working range of the unit from 100 to 300 kVp are selected. Beam quality, output, the central axis depth dose, relative output factors, field flatness, uniformity index, and filtration characteristics of the beams are studied. Selected results are reported.

Film dosimetry of small electron beams for routine radiotherapy planning.

The characteristics of very small fields, 1 X 1 and 2 X 2 cm, of electron beams of nominal energies, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, and 18 MeV have been studied and compared to a 10 X 10 cm field. A parallel-plate ion chamber and film have been used to obtain various dose parameters. The central axis depth dose measurements, field flatness, uniformity index, and relative output factors are presented. It was found that satisfactory results for determining the relative output factor can be obtained from film data using a scanning densitometer. It is our conclusion that film dosimetry is acceptable in determining the necessary clinical parameters needed to treat patients with fields as small as 2 X 2 cm. For the 1 X 1 cm field size and for the electron energies greater than 10 MeV, there was substantial disagreement between the ion chamber and film data in the buildup region as well as the regions beyond the depth of maximum dose to the depth of 90% dose.

Characteristics of electron beams from a new 25-MeV linear accelerator.

Clinically useful electron fields are produced on the Atomic Energy of Canada, Limited Therac 25 linear accelerator by computer-controlled scanning of the electron beam. Measurements were made to determine the properties of these electron fields. Central axis percentage depth dose and bremsstrahlung background were compared for these fields and for the fields from selected machines that use scattering foils. Dose calibrations were made in both water and polystyrene using the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 21 protocol. Measurements were made to determine the relative output factors, virtual source position, and the attenuation of the electron fields by lead.

Systematic patient-dose errors for 4- and 10-MeV microwave linear accelerators associated with rectangular collimator settings.

Systematic patient-dose errors relating to standard equivalent-square approximations and movable collimator-exchange effect were evaluated for rectangular fields of photon beams from 4- and 10-MeV microwave electron accelerators (Varian Clinac 4 and Clinac 18). Errors approached 2.5% at nominal treatment depths for highly elongated rectangular fields. The collimator-exchange effect should be considered when (a) evaluating ionization-chamber stem effect, (b) specifying relative output factors for rectangular fields, and (c) evaluating equivalent-square-field algorithms.