Designing, benchmarking, and applying a Monte Carlo electron transport code

The design of a Monte Carlo electron transport code is described, with particular attention being given to the modeling of multiple-scattering, ionization, and bremsstrahlung production. Comparisons of code predictions with experimental data are presented, together with simple radiation therapy applications.

Radiation beam characteristics of a 22 MeV microtron

The properties of the electron and photon beams from a 22 MeV clinical microton are presented. Favourable isodose distributions for radiation therapy are obtained for both modalities. For the electron beam this is accomplished using a dual scattering foil system in which the secondary foil is shaped to optimize uniformity and minimize energy loss and energy straggling. The photon beam is flattened by a composite filter to produce dose distributions of high uniformity over a wide depth interval.