Small field electron beam dosimetry using MOSFET detector

Evaluation of cutout factors with small and narrow fields using various dosimetry detectors in electron beam keloid radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

The inherent problems in the existence of electron equilibrium and steep dose fall-off pose difficulties for small- and narrow-field dosimetry.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the cutout factors for keloid electron radiotherapy using various dosimetry detectors for small and narrow fields.

METHOD

The measurements were performed in a solid water phantom with nine different cutout shapes. Five dosimetry detectors were used in the study: pinpoint 3D ionization chamber, Farmer chamber, semiflex chamber, Classic Markus parallel plate chamber, and EBT3 film.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated good agreement between the semiflex and pinpoint chambers. Furthermore, there was no difference between the Farmer and pinpoint chambers for large cutouts. For the EBT3 film, half of the cases had differences greater than 1%, and the maximum discrepancy compared with the reference chamber was greater than 2% for the narrow field.

CONCLUSION

The parallel plate, semiflex chamber and EBT3 film are suitable dosimeters that are comparable with pinpoint 3D chambers in small and narrow electron fields. Notably, a semiflex chamber could be an alternative option to a pinpoint 3D chamber for cutout widths≥3 cm. It is very important to perform patient-specific cutout factor calibration with an appropriate dosimeter for keloid radiotherapy.

PENELOPE simulations and experiment for 6 MV clinac iX accelerator for standard and small static fields

The goal of this work was to produce accurate data for use as a 'gold standard' and a valid tool for measurements in reference dosimetry for standard/small static field sizes from 0.5 × 0.5 to 10 × 10 cm². It is based on the accuracy of the phase space files (PSFs) as a key quantity. Because the IAEA general public database provides few PSFs for the Varian iX, we simulated the head through Monte Carlo (MC) simulations and calculated validated PSFs for 12 square field sizes including seven for small static fields. The resulting dosimetric calculations allowed us to reach a good level of agreement in comparison to our relative and absolute dose measurements performed on a Varian iX in water phantom. Measured and MC calculated output factors were investigated for different detectors. Based on the TRS 483 formalism and MC (PENELOPE/penEasy), we calculated output correction factors for the unshielded Diode-E (T60017) and the PinPoint-3D (T31016) micro-chamber according to manufacturers' blueprints. Our MC results were in agreement with the recommended data; they compete with recent measurements and MC simulations and in particular the TRS 483 MC data obtained from similar simulations. Moreover, our MC results provide supplemental data in comparison to TRS 483 data in particular for the PinPoint-3D (T31016). We suggest our MC output correction factors as new datasets for future TRS compilations. The work was substantial, used different robust MC strategies depending on the scoring regions, and led in most cases to uncertainties of less than 1%.

[Dosimetric Characteristics of a Real Time Shapeable Tungsten Containing Rubber with Electron Beams]

PURPOSE

This study investigated the dosimetric characteristics of electron beams shaped with a real-time shapeable tungsten-containing rubber (STR) collimator.

METHODS

Circular irradiation fields of 40 mm diameter were shaped using STR or low melting-point alloy (LMA) placed on the electron applicator. The STR heated with approximately 70-degree warm water was molded into the template bottom of the applicator. Percent depth doses (PDDs) and lateral dose profiles of 6 and 12 MeV electron beams were measured and compared between STR and LMA. For the PDDs, the depths of maximum dose (d_max), 90% dose (d₉₀), and 80% dose (d₈₀) were evaluated. For the lateral dose profiles, penumbra as the width of the off-axis distance from 80% to 20% doses and treatment diameter covering over 90% dose were evaluated at the surface, d_max, d₉₀, and d₈₀. The transmission of the STR was also investigated at thicknesses fit to electron applicator for 6 and 12 MeV electron beams.

RESULTS

The STR was softened with 70-degree warm water. Therefore, it was easy to mold it and attach the applicator. The PDDs and penumbras at the surface, d_max, d₉₀, and d₈₀ for the STR were almost equal to those for the LMA with 6 and 12 MeV electron beams. The treatment diameters covering over 90% dose for the irradiation fields with 40 mm diameter at d_max (LMA vs. STR) were 20.9 vs. 21.1 mm and 19.2 vs. 18.4 mm for 6 and 12 MeV electron beams, respectively. The transmission of the STR was almost same as that of LMA.

CONCLUSIONS

The dosimetric characteristics of the STR on the electron applicator were almost same as those of the LMA. The heated STR was shaped easily, flexibly, and immediately. The STR can be used as a substitute for LMA in electron radiotherapy.

Determination of effective source to surface distance and cutout factor in small fields in electron beam radiotherapy: A comparison of different dosimeters

Objective: The main purpose of this study is to calculate the effective source to surface distance (SSDeff) of small and large electron fields in 10, 15, and 18 MeV energies, and to investigate the effect of SSD on the cutout factor for electron beams a linear accelerator. The accuracy of different dosimeters is also evaluated.

Materials and methods: In the current study, Elekta Precise linear accelerator was used in electron beam energies of 10, 15, and 18 MeV. The measurements were performed in a PTW water phantom (model MP3-M). A Semiflex and Advanced Markus ionization chambers and a Diode E detector were used for dosimetry. SSDeff in 100, 105, 110, 115, and 120 cm SSDs for 1.5 × 1.5 cm2 to 5 × 5 cm2 (small fields) and 6 × 6 cm2 to 20 × 20 cm2 (large fields) field sizes were obtained. The cutout factor was measured for the small fields.

Results: SSDeff in small fields is highly dependent on energy and field size and increases with increasing electron beam energy and field size. For large electron fields, with some exceptions for the 20 × 20 cm2 field, this quantity also increases with energy. The SSDeff was increased with increasing beam energy and field size for all three detectors.

Conclusion: The SSDeff varies significantly for different field sizes or cutouts. It is recommended that SSDeff be determined for each electron beam size or cutout. Selecting an appropriate dosimetry system can have an effect in determining cutout factor.

Comparison of dosimetric parameters of small-field electron beams between Advanced Markus, Semiflex 3D, and Diode E responses

The usage of dosimetry of small fields in radiotherapy to measure radiation dose is difficult because of high-dose gradients, lateral electronic disequilibrium, and detector volume effects. In this study, three dosimeters namely, Markus, Semiflex 3D, and Diode E were tested using the Elekta-accelerator electron beams. The electron beam parameters, penumbra, and output factor were determined using these dosimeters for each field size and energy. According to the results, Diode E and Advanced Markus exhibited the greatest difference in Rq among the electron beam parameters. Furthermore, the greatest difference in penumbra was observed between Diode E and Advanced Markus for the field size of 3 cm² at 10 MeV. In terms of output factor, three dosimeters exhibited the greatest difference between Diode E and Advanced Markus for the field size of 3 cm² at 10 MeV. The findings indicate that the Semiflex 3D can be regarded as an appropriate dosimeter for electron small-field dosimetry.

Small dose effect in RADFET with thick gate oxide

In order to track "small dose effect" leading to stabilization of RADFETs with 1 μm thick oxide fabricated at Tyndall National Institute, Cork, Ireland irradiation was performed with gamma-rays in the radiation dose interval from 1 to 5 cGy, followed with room temperature annealing for the time of 28 days. Gate bias during irradiation was 0, 2.5 and 5 V. Threshold voltage shift ΔV_T determined from transfer characteristics in saturation were followed during irradiation and annealing. It was shown that there is significant increase in ΔV_T for 1 cGy radiation dose and those are 36.3, 43.3 mV and 45.7 mV for gate bias 0, 2.5 V and 5 V, respectively. For higher radiation doses ΔV_T also increases, however, such increase is much lower. RADFETs fading at room temperature lead to permanent decrease in ΔV_T and after 28 days the threshold voltage for devices is returned to virgin device value. Small dose effect is confirmed and radiation dose of at least 5 cGy is necessary for RADFET stabilization before their use in dosimetric application. After RADFETs stabilization they were irradiated in dose interval from 10 to 50 cGy with gate bias of 0, 2.5 and 5 V. It was shown that there is a linear dependence between ΔV_T and absorbed radiation dose D, for gate bias during irradiation 0, 2.5 and 5 V. Defects responsible for threshold voltage shift, formed during irradiation as well as their neutralization/compensation during annealing, are also discussed.

Response of Nanodot Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dosimeters to Therapeutic Electron Beams

Response of Al₂O₃:C-based nanoDot optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeter was studied for the dosimetry of 6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV therapeutic electron beams. With reference to ionization chamber, no change in the response was observed with the change in the energy of electron beams for the field size from 6 cm × 6 cm to 25 cm × 25 cm, dose rates from 100 MU/min to 600 MU/min, and the linearity in the response up to 300 cGy. The fading of the transient signal was higher for 20 MeV electron beam than that of 6 MeV electron beam by about 5% as compared to value at 20 min after irradiation. The depletion of OSL signal per readout in 200 successive readouts was also found to change with dose and energy of electron beam from 6 MeV (9% and 12% per readout at 2 and 10 Gy, respectively) to 20 MeV (9% and 16% at 2 and 10 Gy, respectively). The OSL sensitivity changed in the range from 2% to 6% with accumulated doses from 2 to 8 Gy and with electron energy from 6 to 20 MeV, but the sensitivity could be reset using an optical annealing treatment. Although negligible fading for postirradiation storage from 20 min to several months, acceptable precision and linearity in the desired range, and high reproducibility makes nanoDot dosimeters very attractive for the dosimetry of therapeutic electron beams, a note should be made for changes in sensitivity at doses beyond 2 Gy and electron beams energy dependence in reuse, short-term fading, and signal depletion on repeated readout.

Angular Dependence of the MOSFET Dosimeter and its Impact on In vivo Surface Dose Measurement in Breast Cancer Treatment

The focus of this study is the angular dependence of two types of Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) dosimeters (MOSFET20 and OneDose/OneDosePlus) when used for surface dose measurements. External beam radiationat different gantry angles were delivered to a cubic solid water phantom with a MOSFET placed on the top surface at CAX. The long axis of the MOSFET was oriented along the gantry axis of rotation, with the dosimeter (bubble side) facing the radiation source. MOSFET-measured surface doses were compared against calibrated radiochromic film readings. It was found that both types of MOSFET dosimeters exhibited larger than previously reported angular dependence when measuring surface dose in beams at large oblique angles. For the MOSFET20 dosimeter the measured surface dose deviation against film readings was as high as 17% when the incident angle was 72 degrees to the norm of the phantom surface. It is concluded that some MOSFET dosimeters may have a strong angular dependence when placed on the surface of water-equivalent material, even though they may have an isotropic angular response when surrounded by uniform medium. Extra on-surface calibration maybe necessary before using MOSFET dosimeters for skin dose measurement in tangential fields.

The effects of incidence angle on film dosimetry and their consequences in IMRT dose verification

PURPOSE

The dosimetric accuracy of EDR2 radiographic film has been rigorously assessed in regular and intensity modulated beams for various incidence angles, including the parallel and perpendicular orientation. There clearly exists confusion in literature regarding the effect of film orientation. The primary aim is to clarify potential sources of the confusion and to gain physical insight into the film orientation effect with a link to radiochromic film as well.

METHODS

An inverse pyramid IMRT field, consisting of six regular and elongated 3 × 20 cm(2) field segments, was studied in perpendicular and parallel orientation. Assessment of film self-perturbation and intrinsic directional sensitivity were also included in the experiments. Finally, the authors investigated the orientational effect in composite beams in the two extreme orientations, i.e., perpendicular and parallel.

RESULTS

The study of an inverse pyramid dose profile revealed good agreement between the perpendicular film and the diamond detector within 0.5% in the low-scatter regions for both 6 and 18 MV. The parallel oriented film demonstrated a 3% under-response at 5-cm (6 MV) depth against the perpendicular orientation, but both orientations over responded equally in the central region, which received only scattered dose, at both 5- and 20-cm depths. In a regular 6-MV 5 × 5 cm(2) field, a 4.1% lower film response was observed in the parallel orientation compared to perpendicular orientation. The under response gradually increased to 6% when reducing the field size to 0.5 × 5 cm(2). On the other hand, the film showed a 1.7% lower response in parallel orientation for the large field size of 20 × 20 cm(2) at 5-cm depth but the difference disappeared at 10 cm. At 18 MV, similar but somewhat lower differences were found between the two orientations. The directional sensitivity of the film diminishes with increasing field size and depth. Surprisingly a composite IMRT beam consisting of 20 adjacent strip segments also produced a significant orientational dependence of film response, notwithstanding the large total field size of 20 × 20 cm(2).

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis allowed the development of a hypothesis about the physics behind the orientational dependence of film response in general and to formulate precautions when using film dosimetry in the dosimetric verification of multibeam treatments.

Development and optimization of a beam shaper device for a mobile dedicated IOERT accelerator

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to design and build a prototype beam shaper to be used on a dedicated mobile accelerator that protects organs at risk within the radiation field and conforms the beam to the target geometry during intraoperative electron radiotherapy (IOERT). A dosimetric characterization of the beam shaper device was performed based on Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, as well as experimental data, at different energies, field sizes, and source to skin distances.

METHODS

A mobile light intraoperative accelerator (LIAC(®), Sordina, Italy) was used. The design of the beam shaper prototype was based on MC simulations (BEAMnrc∕OMEGA and DOSXYZnrc code) for a selection of materials and thicknesses, as well as for dosimetric characterization. Percentage depth dose (PDD) and profile measurements were performed using a p-type silicon diode and a commercial water phantom, while output factors were measured using a PinPoint ion chamber in a PMMA phantom. Planar doses in planes of interest were carried out using radiochromic films (Gafchromic(TM) EBT and EBT2) in PMMA and in a Solid Water(®) phantom. Several experimental set-ups were investigated with the beam shaper device fixed on the top of the phantom, varying both the short side of the rectangular field and the air gap between the device and the phantom surface, simulating the clinical situation. The output factors (OFs) were determined using different geometrical set-ups and energies.

RESULTS

The beam shaper prototype consists of four blades sliding alongside each other and mounted on a special support at the end of the 10 cm diameter PMMA circular applicator. Each blade is made of an upper layer of 2.6 cm of Teflon(®) and a lower layer of 8 mm of stainless steel. All rectangles inscribed in a 5 cm diameter can be achieved in addition to any "squircle-shaped" field. When one side of the rectangular field is held constant and the second side is reduced, both R(50) and R(max) move towards the phantom surface. Comparing the PDDs obtained with the 5 cm circular applicator and with a 4.4 × 4.4 cm(2) square field (that is the equivalent square of the 5 cm circular field) obtained with the beam shaper, a different behavior was observed in the region extending from the surface to a depth of 50% of the maximum dose. Isodoses measured for rectangular fields used for clinical cases (i.e., 4 × 9 cm(2) 8 MeV) are shown, with different air gaps. For each energy investigated, the normalized OFs slowly increase, when the length of the side decreases down to about 4 cm, and then rapidly decreases for smaller field widths. MC simulation showed an excellent agreement with experimental data (<2%).

CONCLUSIONS

The beam shaper device is able to provide square∕rectangular∕squircle fields with adequate dose homogeneity for mobile dedicated accelerators, thus allowing conformal treatment with IOERT. Monte Carlo simulation can be a very useful tool to simulate any clinical set up and can be used to create a data set to calculate MUs, thereby increasing the accuracy of the delivered dose during IOERT procedures.