Is the PTW 60019 microDiamond a suitable candidate for small field reference dosimetry?

Is the PTW 60019 microDiamond a suitable candidate for small field reference dosimetry?
Phys Med Biol. 2017 Aug 09;62(17):7036-7055
Authors: De Coste V, Francescon P, Marinelli M, Masi L, Paganini L, Pimpinella M, Prestopino G, Russo S, Stravato A, Verona C, Verona-Rinati G
Abstract
A systematic study of the PTW microDiamond (MD) output factors (OF) is reported, aimed at clarifying its response in small fields and investigating its suitability for small field reference dosimetry. Ten MDs were calibrated under (60)Co irradiation. OF measurements were performed in 6 MV photon beams by a CyberKnife M6, a Varian DHX and an Elekta Synergy linacs. Two PTW silicon diodes E (Si-D) were used for comparison. The results obtained by the MDs were evaluated in terms of absorbed dose to water determination in reference conditions and OF measurements, and compared to the results reported in the recent literature. To this purpose, the Monte Carlo (MC) beam-quality correction factor, [Formula: see text], was calculated for the MD, and the small field output correction factors, [Formula: see text], were calculated for both the MD and the Si-D by two different research groups. An empirical function was also derived, providing output correction factors within 0.5% from the MC values calculated for all of the three linacs. A high reproducibility of the dosimetric properties was observed among the ten MDs. The experimental [Formula: see text] values are i...

Source: Physics in Medicine and Biology - August 9, 2017 Category: Physics Authors: De Coste V, Francescon P, Marinelli M, Masi L, Paganini L, Pimpinella M, Prestopino G, Russo S, Stravato A, Verona C, Verona-Rinati G Tags: Phys Med Biol Source Type: research