NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS Vol. 24. No. 1&2.

2015

Measurement of Percentage Depth Dose of a Linear Accelerator for

6 MV and 10 MV Photon Energies
R. N. Sruti1, 2, M. M. Islam1*, M. M. Rana3, M. M. H. Bhuiyan1, K. A. Khan2
M. K. Newaz4 and M. S. Ahmed4
1
Health Physics and Radioactive Waste Management Unit, Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology
Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Dhaka
2
Department of Physics, Jagannath University, Dhaka
3
Department of Oncology, Bangabandu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka
4
Institute of Computer Science, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Dhaka

Abstract
During commissioning of a linear accelerator (LINAC) one of the essential parameters known as percentage depth dose (PDD) which must
be obtained prior to clinical use. In this study the measurements for PDDs were performed at National Institute of Cancer Research &
Hospital (NICRH), Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh using a linear accelerator (Model D-2300CD, Varian medical systems) with 6 MV & 10
MV photon energies for a set of 12 field sizes (3 × 3, 4 × 4, 6 × 6, 8 × 8, 10 × 10, 12 × 12, 15 × 15, 20 × 20, 25 × 25, 30 × 30, 35 × 35 and
40 × 40 cm2), keeping the same conditions (e.g., geometry, ion chamber voltage and polarity, incremental step and direction). The
measurement of PDDs were performed by two Semiflex ionization chambers (S/N: 1222, S/N: 1217) from PTW for the linear accelerator
(Model D-2300CD, Varian medical systems) using 3D water phantom (MP3) and MEPHYSTO mc2 software from PTW. The calculation
of PDDs were done using a beam analysis tool of TPS (Varian eclipse, Version: 10.0.28). The measured PDD curves were obtained for 6
and 10 MV photon beams with above mentioned field sizes and compared with PDD curves and treatment planning system (TPS)
calculated PDD curves of the British Journal of Radiology- 25 (BJR-25, standard PDD protocol). The measured depth dose (Dmax) for
reference field size (FS) 10 × 10 cm2 are15.99 mm and 24.71 mm and the PDD at 10 cm depth (D10) are 66.87% and 74.01% for 6 MV and
10 MV photon energies, respectively. The results obtained for depth dose (Dmax) and PDD at 10 cm depth (D10) for both 6 MV and 10 MV
photon energies are found within the limit. The measured PDD curves for both photon energies show a good agreement with the BJR-25
PDD curves and TPS calculated PDD curves.
Keywords: Percentage depth dose, LINAC, cancer, TPS phantom

1. Introduction [5]. Therefore, it is essential to have a minimum data set

The inception of radiotherapy soon after the discovery of X which includes percentage depth dose (PDD), Profile and
rays by Roentgen in 1895, the technology of X-ray Output characterization for a series of field sizes (FSs).
production has first been aimed towards ever higher photon In this study, one basic dosimetric parameter like PDD for 6
and electron beam energies and intensities and more MV and 10 MV photon beams with different FSs was
recently towards computerization and intensity modulated measured. These measurements have been performed in a
beam delivery [1]. The production of radiation using three dimensional (3D) computer controlled water phantom
sophisticated devices like LINAC is useful tools for clinical (PTW MP3) using semiflex ionization chamber (S/N 1217)
application. The radiations produced by LINAC have many and semiflex ionization chamber (S/N 1222) for the varian
advantages over the traditional X-ray machine. The linear accelerator model D-2300CD machine at radiation
concurrently developed medical LINACs became the most Oncology Department, National Institute of Cancer
widely used radiation source in modern radiotherapy [2]. Research and Hospital, Mohakhali, Dhaka. The data
Most of the developed countries are using linear accelerator obtained during the initial commissioning of LINAC can be
treated as the standard data for clinical purpose. The
as basic treatment machine. A linear accelerator (LINAC)
scientific methods used for commissioning of modern
customizes high energy x-rays to conform to a tumor’s
Linear Accelerator are really a time consuming procedure
shape and destroy cancer cells while sparing surrounding and needs dedication in work [5]. The aim of this work is to
normal tissue [3]. High power LINACs are also being measure one of the essential dosimetric parameters for
developed for production of electrons at relativistic speeds commissioning of a LINAC. The measured parameter can
[4]. be used as a reference data for clinical use to ensure that the
The LINAC can be used for therapy (treatment) after experimentally obtained parameters have not changed
completion of some satisfactory scientific methods called as during normal operation of the LINAC system.
pre-commissioning testing. The process of commissioning a
LINAC for clinical use includes comprehensive 2. Materials and Methods
measurements of dosimetric parameters that are necessary 2.1 Instrumentation
to validate the TPS used to select optimal radiation
In this study, the linear accelerator was varian D-2300 CD,
modality and treatment technique for individual patients with dual energy mode, having both photon and electron
beam facility. It has two photon energies e.g. 6 MV and 10
MV and five electron energies (e.g. 4 MeV, 6 MeV, 9 MeV,
*
Corresponding author: [email protected] 12 MeV and 15 MeV).

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Percentages of depth dose for 6 MV and 10 MV photon water surface. According to IAEA dosimetry protocol, the
energies were measured by using a 3D water phantom, EPOM of a field chamber is shifted downstream by half of
PTW 31010 semiflex chamber (S/N 1217) as a field the chamber's inner radius (0.5r) [6]. This means that after
chamber and PTW 31010 semiflex chamber (S/N 1222) as the reference point has been temporarily aligned with water
a reference chamber and MEPHYSTO mc2 software level, the chamber was moved downstream by the same
version 1.6. The PDD calculation was performed by using distance, and zero set again. A reference chamber
eclipse external treatment planning system (Version (S/N1217) was set in the corner of the measuring field just
10.0.28). above the water surface. Fig. 2 shows the phantom setup for
2.2 Percentage Depth Dose (PDD) Measurement PDD measurements.
Typically, during the first commissioning, the measurement
of PDD at central axis is an essential part. One way of Computer controlled moving chamber Reference chamber
used for dose measurement used to correct for
characterizing the central axis dose distribution is to throughout the water volume dose-rate fluctuations
normalize dose at depth with respect to dose at a reference
depth. PDD is defined as the quotient, expressed as a
percentage of the absorbed dose at any depth Q to the
absorbed dose at a fixed Reference depth P, along the
central axis of the beam as shown in Fig. 1.

Field chamber

chamber
alignment tool

Fig. 2 Phantom setup for PDDs measurements

The PDD scanning was performed starting from 300 mm

depth to 0 mm depth in upward direction throughout the
phantom to avoid the water turbulence.
The PDD was measured from the phantom surface at 0 cm
to a depth of 30 cm along Central Axis (CAX) having
measurement interval 1 mm from surface to 2 cm depth and
then 2.5 cm up to 25 cm. The PDD measurement duration
for each point was 0.1 second.
Fig. 1 The setup measurement for PDD Scanning was controlled by PTW MEPHYSTO mc2
software version 1.6.2. Step size was 1 mm between surface
Percentage depth dose (P) is thus: and 20 mm depth, and 2.5 mm at larger depths.
Measurement time was 0.1 s per point.
The percentage of depth dose (PDD) curves were acquired
for 12 square field sizes: 3 × 3, 4 × 4, 6 × 6, 8 × 8, 10 × 10,
12 × 12, 15 × 15, 20 × 20, 25 × 25, 30 × 30, 35 × 35 and 40
Where, P is the percentage depth dose, DQ is the absorbed × 40 cm2. The field size was defined by jaws, not multileaf
dose at any depth Q and DP is the absorbed dose at a fixed collimator (MLC). During the PDD measurement the water
Reference depth P. level of 3D water phantom was always checked with the
front pointer before the first scan. Because of the room
2.2.1 Measurement Setup for Percentage Depth Dose temperature evaporation can take place therefore the water
(PDDs) Curves tank must be filled up with water in every 30 minutes to
To measure PDD it is necessary to set up phantom and maintain the source to water surface distance constant.
ionization chambers at isocentre alignment of the LINAC The following procedures were applied to process the
system. In this regard, the phantom and chambers were collected data from the scanning of 3D water phantom in
placed in isocentric distance of the LINAC having 6 MV order to plot PDD: The curves were smoothed in
and 10 MV photon energies. The MP3 water tank was MEPHYSTO mc2 software. To create PDD curves with
leveled with spirit level and the source to water surface equidistant (1mm) measuring points were performed. The
distance was set to 100 cm using the front pointer device. PDD curves were plotted for 6 MV and 10 MV photon
In percentage depth dose (PDD) measurement, an energies for LINAC system.
ionization chamber is at zero depth when the chamber's
effective point of measurement (EPOM) is aligned with

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NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS Vol. 24. No. 1&2. 2015

3. Results and Discussion Dmax are 1.5±.2 cm and 2.3±.2 cm, respectively and for D10
The measured PDD values of 6 MV and 10 MV photon are 67.1±1.5 % and 73.1±1.5 % respectively [7]. The result
energies for all 12 FSs were plotted to obtain PDD curves. obtained for depth dose (Dmax) and PDD at 10 cm depth
The measured PDD curves for reference 10 x10 cm2 FS at (D10) for both 6 MV and 10 MV photon energies are found
100 cm source to surface distance (SSD) of 6 MV and 10 within the limit mentioned in the IEC 60731 scale [7].
MV photon energies have been shown in figs 3(a) and 3(b).

Fig. 4(a) Compared PDD curve for 6 MV energy

Fig. 3(a) Measured PDD curve for 6 MV energy

Fig. 4(b) Compared PDD curve for 10 MV energy

Fig. 3(b) Measured PDD curve for 10 MV energy
3.1 Comparison with BJR 25
The depth dose (Dmax) and PDD at 10 cm depth (D10) for 6 In order to justify the measured PDD data, all the measured
MV and 10 MV photon energies for 10 x10 cm2 FS PDD data obtained from 6 MV and 10 MV photon energies
obtained from Fig. 3(a) and 3(b) are given in Table 1 were compared with the standard PDD protocol BJR 25 [8].
The compared curves between measured PDD values and
Table 1. Measured Dmax and D10 for 10 x 10 cm2 FS of 6 BJR 25 PDD values for 6 MV and 10 MV photon energies
MV and 10 MV photon energies for reference 10 × 10 cm2 FS is given in Figs 4(a) and 4(b).
From the compared curves, it is evident that the measured
Energy FSs Depth dose PDD at 10 cm
PDD shows good agreement with BJR 25.
(MV) (cm2) Dmax( mm) depth D10 (%)
3.2 Comparison with TPS Calculated PDD using Beam
6 10 x 10 15.99 66.87 Analysis Tool
10 10 x 10 24.71 74.01 The measured PDD values for 6 MV and 10 MV photon
energies were compared with the TPS calculated 6 MV and
The depth dose (Dmax) for FS 10 × 10 cm2 for 6 MV and 10 10 MV PDD values by using beam analysis tool. The
compared curves between measured PDD values and TPS
MV photon energies are 15.99 mm and 24.71 mm
calculated PDD values for 6 MV and 10 MV photon beam
respectively and the PDD at 10 cm depth (D10) are 66.87%
for reference 10 × 10 cm2 FS is given in Figs 3(a) and 3(b).
and 74.01% respectively. According to IEC 60731 Scale,
the tolerances for 6 MV and 10 MV photon energies for
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NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS Vol. 24. No. 1&2. 2015

treatment planning process. Therefore, to operate a LINAC

system for treatment purpose, the percentage depth doses is
needed to measure correctly.
The measured results are verified by following the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC 60976)
protocol. For the quality assurance (QA) purpose, The
British Journal of Radiology volume 25 (BJR 25), The
American Association of Physicists in Medicine - Task
Group- 40 (AAPM TG 40) were followed.
Dmax and D10 for 6 MV and 10 MV photon beam were
Fig. 5(a) Measured and calculated depth dose, 6 MV found within the limit mentioned in the IEC 60976 Scale.
photon, FS: 10×10 cm2 The compared curve between the measured PDD and BJR
25 for all FSs show a good agreement. From Table 2 the
differences between measured PDDs and TPS calculated
PDDs for 6 MV and 10 MV photon energies are ±2 mm.
The PDD data obtained for 6 MV and 10 MV photon
energies in this work will be useful for initial
commissioning of LINAC system. However, further work
can be done to verify the measured data for clinical use.

Acknowledgment
The authors are thankful to the Director, National Institute
of Cancer Research & Hospital (NICRH), Mohakhali,
Fig. 5(b) Measured and calculated depth dose, 10 MV Dhaka, Bangladesh for allowing to use their linear
photon, FS: 10 × 10 cm2 accelerator (Model D-2300CD) to perform this research
work. In addition, the authors are highly grateful to Medical
Results from the comparison of the measured and the Physicists and staff of NICRH for their cordial cooperation
calculated depth dose curve (PDDs) for 6 MV and 10 MV in carrying out this research.
photon energies for 10 x 10 cm2 FS are shown in Table 2.
References
Table 2 Difference between TPS calculated and measured
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(2005).
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10 10 x 10 -0.025 -0.150 0.305 -0.021
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