Two-dimensional solid-state array detectors: A technique for in vivo dose verification in a variable effective area.

PURPOSE: We introduce a technique that employs a 2D detector in transmission mode (TM) to verify dose maps at a depth of dmax in Solid Water. TM measurements, when taken at a different surface-to-detector distance (SDD), allow for the area at dmax (in which the dose map is calculated) to be adjusted. METHODS: We considered the detector prototype "MP512" (an array of 512 diode-sensitive volumes, 2 mm spatial resolution). Measurements in transmission mode were taken at SDDs in the range from 0.3 to 24 cm. Dose mode (DM) measurements were made at dmax in Solid Water. We considered radiation fields in the range from 2 × 2 cm2 to 10 × 10 cm2 , produced by 6 MV flattened photon beams; we derived a relationship between DM and TM measurements as a function of SDD and field size. The relationship was used to calculate, from TM measurements at 4 and 24 cm SDD, dose maps at dmax in fields of 1 × 1 cm2 and 4 × 4 cm2 , and in IMRT fields. Calculations were cross-checked (gamma analysis) with the treatment planning system and with measurements (MP512, films, ionization chamber). RESULTS: In the square fields, calculations agreed with measurements to within ±2.36%. In the IMRT fields, using acceptance criteria of 3%/3 mm, 2%/2 mm, 1%/1 mm, calculations had respective gamma passing rates greater than 96.89%, 90.50%, 62.20% (for a 4 cm SSD); and greater than 97.22%, 93.80%, 59.00% (for a 24 cm SSD). Lower rates (1%/1 mm criterion) can be explained by submillimeter misalignments, dose averaging in calculations, noise artifacts in film dosimetry. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to perform TM measurements at the SSD which produces the best fit between the area at dmax in which the dose map is calculated and the size of the monitored target.

Impact of a monolithic silicon detector operating in transmission mode on clinical photon beams.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect on surface dose, as a function of different field sizes and distances from the solid water phantom to transmission detector (Dsd), of using the monolithic silicon detector MP512T in transmission mode. METHODS: The influence of operating the MP512T in transmission mode on the surface dose of a phantom for SSD 100cm was evaluated by using a Markus IC. The MP512T was fixed to an adjustable stand holder and was positioned at different Dsd, ranging from 0.3 to 24 cm. For each Dsd, measurements were carried out for irradiation field sizes of 5 × 5cm2, 8 × 8 cm2 and 10 × 10 cm2. Measurements were obtained under two different operational setups, (i) with the MP512T face-up and (ii) with the MP512T face-down. In addition, the transmission factors for the MP512T and the printed circuit board were only evaluated using a Farmer IC. RESULTS: For all Dsd and all field sizes, the MP512T led to the surface dose increasing by less than 25% when in the beam. For Dsd >18 cm the surface dose increase is less than 5%, and negligible for field size 5 × 5 cm2. The difference in the surface dose perturbation for the MP512T operating face up or operating face down is negligible (<2%) for all field sizes. The transmission factor of the MP512T ranged from 1.020 to 0.9950 for all measured Dsd and field sizes. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that positioning the MP512T in air between the Linac head and the phantom produced negligible perturbation of the surface dose for Dsd >18 cm, and was completely transparent for 6 MV photon beams.

Technical Note: Angular dependence of a 2D monolithic silicon diode array for small field dosimetry.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the 2D monolithic silicon diode array size of 52 × 52 mm2 (MP512) angular response. An angular correction method has been developed that improves the accuracy of dose measurement in a small field. METHODS: The MP512 was placed at the center of a cylindrical phantom, irradiated using 6 MV and 10 MV photons and incrementing the incidence of the beam angle in 15° steps from 0° to 180°, and then in 1° steps between 85° and 95°. The MP512 response was characterized for square field sizes varying between 1 × 1 cm2 and 10 × 10 cm2 . The angular correction factor was obtained as the ratio of MP512 response to EBT3 film measured doses as a function of the incidence angle (Ɵ) and was normalized at 0° incidence angle. Beam profiles of the corrected MP512 responses were compared with the EBT3 responses to verify the effectiveness of the method adopted. RESULTS: The intrinsic angular dependence of the MP512 shows maximum relative deviation from the response normalized to 0° of 18.5 ± 0.5% and 15.5 ± 0.5% for 6 MV and 10 MV, respectively, demonstrating that the angular response is sensitive to the energy. In contrast, the variation of angular response is less affected by field size. Comparison of cross-plane profiles measured by the corrected MP512 and EBT3 shows an agreement within ±2% for all field sizes when the beams irradiated the array at 0°, 45°, 135°, and 180° angles of incidence from the normal to the detector plane. At 90° incidence, corresponding to a depth dose measurement, up to a 6% discrepancy was observed for a 1 × 1 cm2 field of 6 MV. CONCLUSION: An angular correction factor can be adopted for small field sizes. Measurements discrepancies could be encountered when irradiating with very small fields parallel to the detector plane. Using this approach, the MP512 is shown to be a suitable detector for 2D dose mapping of small field size photon beams.