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Characterization of a Fricke dosimeter at high energy photon and electron beams used in radiotherapy

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Abstract

The dosimetric features of the Fricke dosimeter in clinical linear accelerator beams are considered. Experimental data were obtained using various nominal energies 6 and 18 MV, 12 and 15 MeV, including the 60Co γ-ray beam. The calibration of the dosimeters was performed using the ionization chamber as a reference dosimeter. Some general characteristics of Fricke dosimeter such as energy dependence, optical density (OD)-dose relationship, reproducibility, accuracy, dose rate dependence were analyzed. The Fricke solution shows linearity in OD-dose relationship, energy independence and a good reproducibility over the energy range investigated. The Fricke dosimeter was found to be suitable for carrying out absorbed dose to water measurements in the calibration of high energy electron and photon beams.

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Acknowledgments

Grateful acknowledgement is made to Dr. B. Hocini (Mustapha Hospital, Algiers) for allowing us to use their hospital’s equipment. We also thank radio-physicists of their staff for their help in making the measurements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Département de Physique Médicale, Centre de Recherche Nucléaire d’Alger, 2 Boulevard Frantz Fanon, B.P. 399, Alger-Gare, Algeria

    O. Moussous

  2. Centre Anti Cancèreux, Blida, Algeria

    S. Khoudri

  3. Université des Sciences et Technologie Houari Boumediene, Alger, Algeria

    M. Benguerba

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  1. O. Moussous
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  2. S. Khoudri
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  3. M. Benguerba
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Correspondence to O. Moussous.

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Moussous, O., Khoudri, S. & Benguerba, M. Characterization of a Fricke dosimeter at high energy photon and electron beams used in radiotherapy. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 34, 523–528 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-011-0093-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-011-0093-1

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