Neutron source strength measurements for Varian, Siemens, Elekta, and General Electric linear accelerators
نویسندگان
چکیده
The shielding calculations for high energy (>10 MV) linear accelerators must include the photoneutron production within the head of the accelerator. Procedures have been described to calculate the treatment room door shielding based on the neutron source strength (Q value) for a specific accelerator and energy combination. Unfortunately, there is currently little data in the literature stating the neutron source strengths for the most widely used linear accelerators. In this study, the neutron fluence for 36 linear accelerators, including models from Varian, Siemens, Elekta/Philips, and General Electric, was measured using gold-foil activation. Several of the models and energy combinations had multiple measurements. The neutron fluence measured in the patient plane was independent of the surface area of the room, suggesting that neutron fluence is more dependent on the direct neutron fluence from the head of the accelerator than from room scatter. Neutron source strength, Q, was determined from the measured neutron fluences. As expected, Q increased with increasing photon energy. The Q values ranged from 0.02 for a 10 MV beam to 1.44(x10(12)) neutrons per photon Gy for a 25 MV beam. The most comprehensive set of neutron source strength values, Q, for the current accelerators in clinical use are presented for use in calculating room shielding.
منابع مشابه
Secondary neutron spectra from modern Varian, Siemens, and Elekta linacs with multileaf collimators.
Neutrons are a by-product of high-energy x-ray radiation therapy (threshold for [gamma,n] reactions in high-Z material -7 MeV). Neutron production varies depending on photon beam energy as well as on the manufacturer of the accelerator. Neutron production from modern linear accelerators (linacs) has not been extensively compared, particularly in terms of the differences in the strategies that v...
متن کاملOut‐of‐field doses and neutron dose equivalents for electron beams from modern Varian and Elekta linear accelerators
Out-of-field doses from radiotherapy can cause harmful side effects or eventually lead to secondary cancers. Scattered doses outside the applicator field, neutron source strength values, and neutron dose equivalents have not been broadly investigated for high-energy electron beams. To better understand the extent of these exposures, we measured out-of-field dose characteristics of electron appl...
متن کاملShielding evaluation for IMRT implementation in an existing accelerator vault
A formalism is developed for evaluating the shielding in an existing vault to be used for IMRT. Existing exposure rate measurements are utilized as well as a newly developed effective modulation scaling factor. Examples are given for vaults housing 6, 10 and 18 MV linear accelerators. The use of an 18 MV Siemens linear accelerator is evaluated for IMRT delivery with respect to neutron productio...
متن کاملDevelopment of a Phase Space Generator software for Medical Linear Accelerator Applications
Introduction: During the last decades, simulation of radiation therapy treatment conditions in treatment room for studying with more details in comparison with treatment planning system (TPS) is taken into consideration. The most problem with starting these kind of researches is the geometry of Medical linacs and verification of the accelerators. Therefore, researchers tried to...
متن کاملA Monte Carlo study on Photoneutron Spectrum around Elekta SL75/25 18 MV linear accelerator
Medical linear accelerators are one of the most widespread methods for cancer treatment. Despite their advantages, unwanted photoneutrons are produced by high energy linacs. This photoneutrons are as undesired doses to patients and a significant problem for radiation protection of the staffs and patients. Photoneutrons radiological risk must be evaluated because of their high LET and range.in o...
متن کامل