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In external beam Radiotherapy, transverse and longitudinal dose measurements are taken by a radiation detector in order to characterise the radiation beams from medical linear accelerators.[1] Typically, an ionisation chamber and water phantom are used to create these radiation dose profiles. Water is used due to its tissue equivalence.

Central Axis Dose profile for 15MV photon beam incident on water phantom. Here the linear accelerator collimation projects a 1x1 cm2 field at isocentre i.e. 100 cm SSD

Transverse dose measurements are performed in the x (crossplane) or y (inplane) directions perpendicular to the radiation beam, and at a given depth (z) in the phantom. These are known as dose profiles. Dose measurements taken along the z direction create radiation dose distribution known as a depth-dose curve.

See also

References

  1. ^ D., Podgorsak, Ervin (2005). Radiation oncology physics : a handbook for teachers and students. International Atomic Energy Agency. ISBN 978-1-280-84923-7. OCLC 1078941036.((cite book)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)