ABSTRACT
Objective To study the application of the genetic algorithm with two populations in optimization of both IMRT beam weight and orientation.Methods The genetic algorithm with two populations was used to optimize IMRT beam weight and orientations with three dimensional pencil beam dose calculation model. The algorithm was implemented in Visual c#. Net. And the results were analyzed. Results The modest change of the beam orientation resulted in more conformal dose distribution in target volume, and large high dose area was included. Further more, genetic algorithm with two populations gave such a clinically acceptable computation time. Conclusion Little change had distinct influence on dose distribution when there were few beam orientations. The genetic algorithm with two populations was an effective and global optimization method because of its parallel, robust and global. It provided satisfying results when used to optimize IMRT beam weight and orientations