Physical characteristics of the M.D. Anderson Hospital clinical neutron beam

Radiother Oncol. 1988 Sep;13(1):17-22. doi: 10.1016/0167-8140(88)90293-9.

Abstract

The physical characteristics of the M.D. Anderson Hospital (MDAH) clinical neutron beam are presented. The central-axis percent depth-dose values are intermediate between a 4 and 6 MV X-ray beam. The build-up curves reach a depth of maximum dose at 1.2 cm and have surface dose values of approximately 30%. Teflon flattening filters are employed to flatten the beam at the depth of the 75% dose level. Two wedges are available for shaping the beam; they are made of Teflon and produce wedge angles of 31 degrees and 45 degrees as defined by the ICRU. Output factors ranged from 0.88 for a 4 x 4 cm field to 1.12 for a 20 x 20 cm field. Tungsten blocks reduced the dose received at Dmax to 25% of the unblocked value but only 52% of the unblocked value at a depth of 22.8 cm.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Filtration / instrumentation
  • Humans
  • Neutrons
  • Particle Accelerators*
  • Polytetrafluoroethylene
  • Radiation Monitoring
  • Radiotherapy, High-Energy / instrumentation*
  • Tungsten

Substances

  • Polytetrafluoroethylene
  • Tungsten