Program Information
What Is the "real" Field-Size in Photon Dosimetry?
M Gainey*, M Kollefrath , R Saum , G Bruggmoser , University Medical Centre Freiburg, Freiburg Im Breisgau, Baden-Wuerttemberg
Presentations
SU-E-T-813 (Sunday, July 12, 2015) 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Room: Exhibit Hall
Purpose:
The definition of field sizes in photon dosimetry and the measurement of profiles are non-trivial. Current definitions are nominal, geometric, dosimetric (actual) or equivalent field size. In reality most detectors are not water equivalent since they contain air or high density materials. These materials can blur profiles, particularly in small fields. If necessary, detector and field size-specific volume dependent effects need to be considered.
Methods:
A TrueBeam-linac (Varian Medical Systems) was used. All measurements were performed within a water phantom (MP3, PTW-Freiburg), with filter (WFF) and without filter (FFF), using ionization chambers, shielded and unshielded diodes and diamond detectors. The position of the jaws was verified according to our QA-system. Field size profiles were taken at a defined depth (SSD =90 cm, SCD=100 cm). The penumbra of the profiles measured with the various detectors was compared to determine the dosimetric field size. For the evaluation of the field sizes the inclination points were also calculated.
Results:
The field size, both for the WFF and the FFF-mode, coincided within 1 mm of the nominal field size. Due to the fact that the jaws were adjusted properly, the dosimetric field size coincides with the geometric field size. Exceptions are very small fields, where the dosimetric field size, defined by the inclination points, becomes broader than the geometric field size.
Conclusion:
Profiles, particularly of small fields, have to be measured very carefully using a suitable detector. For this purpose, a detector with a negligible volume correction factor should be used. The dosimetric field size can be found by evaluating the inclination points for both WFF and FFF beams. For dosimetric purposes it is necessary to find the dosimetric size. Alternatively, if the measurements are basic data for a TPS, both, the geometric and the dosimetric sizes should be recorded.
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