Development of Dual-Window Phantom for Output Measurement of Medical Linacs

Jeong, Dong Hyeok; Kwak, Dong Won; Moon, Young Min; Kang, Yeong Rok; Kim, Jeung Kee; Lee, Man Woo

Abstract

A small water phantom (dual-window phantom) was developed to improve the output measurement efficiency of medical linacs. This phantom is suitable for determining the quality index and output dose for high-energy photon beams. The phantom has two opposite windows and two independently rotating axes. The two axes measure the tissue phantom ratio (TPR) and the percentage depth dose (PDD) simply without requiring chamber movement by rotating the phantom around its axis. High-energy photon beams from a Co-60 irradiator and a medical linac were used to evaluate the phantom. The measured quality index is in good agreement with the reference values; the measured and reference values are within 0.2% of each other for the Co-60 gamma rays and within 1.4% for 6 and 10 MV X-rays. This phantom is more practical for routine output measurements, resulting in the prevention of potential human errors.