Physica Medica: European Journal of Medical Physics
Volume 23, Issue 2 , Pages 58-66, June 2007

A new method for output factor determination in MLC shaped narrow beams

  • F. Sánchez-Doblado

      Affiliations

    • Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Servicio de Radiofísica, Sevilla, Spain
    • Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, F. Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Spain
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Sánchez Pizjuán 4, E-41009, Sevilla, Spain. Tel.: +34 954556102.
    • ,
  • G.H. Hartmann

      Affiliations

    • Deustches Krebsforschungszentrum, Abt. Medizinische Physik, Heidelberg, Germany
    • ,
  • J. Pena

      Affiliations

    • Departamento de Física de Partículas, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
    • ,
  • J.V. Roselló

      Affiliations

    • Hospital General Universitario, ERESA, Servicio de Radiofísica, Valencia, Spain
    • ,
  • G. Russiello

      Affiliations

    • Deustches Krebsforschungszentrum, Abt. Medizinische Physik, Heidelberg, Germany
    • ,
  • D.M. Gonzalez-Castaño

      Affiliations

    • Departamento de Física de Partículas, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Received 21 December 2006; received in revised form 7 March 2007; accepted 8 March 2007. published online 10 May 2007.

Abstract 

A new method for the measurement of output factors of narrow beams is presented in this work. By combining a new large area parallel plane ionization chamber (PTW model T34070) with a relative film dosimetry the output factors of small square fields of a 6MV beam shaped by a MLC were measured. Several detectors (three ionization chambers, two solid state detectors and film) and Monte Carlo simulation were also employed to validate this new methodology and also to determine those detectors more suitable for narrow beam output factor determination.

The proposed method for output factor measurement has shown to be in a very good agreement with diamond, diode and Monte Carlo results while it is insensitive to position displacements. Several uncertainties associated to the process of narrow beam dosimetry have also been addressed.

Keywords: Narrow beam dosimetry, Output factor, Small fields, Large area chamber

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PII: S1120-1797(07)00009-9

doi:10.1016/j.ejmp.2007.03.002

Physica Medica: European Journal of Medical Physics
Volume 23, Issue 2 , Pages 58-66, June 2007

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