Validation of the geometric equivalent field concept in total scatter factor calculations, for half‐, quarter‐ and off‐isocenter asymmetric square fields

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveMonitor unit (MU) verification for any symmetric or asymmetric field is performed using a total scatter factor (Scp), that is calculated based on the geometric equivalent square field (GESF) concept. In this study, we measured the Scp of various asymmetric square fields (ASFs) and their respective GESFs.MethodsSquare half‐fields (SHFs), square quarter‐fields (SQFs) and square off‐isocenter fields (SOFs), with sizes ranging from 3×3 cm2 to 20×20 cm2 were created, by varying the collimator jaws of two Varian iX Linacs (6/18 and 6/23 MV). A semi‐flex ion chamber was used to measure Scp at a depth of 10 cm within a water phantom, at the effective field center (EFC) of all ASFs, and at the isocenter (IC) of their respective GESFs. The later Scp values were corrected by the off‐axis ratio [OAR(r)] of the 40×40 cm2 field size, where r is the distance between EFC and IC.ResultsThe results show that the Scp (EFC) is independent of the type of the ASF (SHF, SQF, or SOF) and no significant difference exists between the 18 and 23 MV beams. Compared with the Scp (IC), the Scp (EFC) increased with increasing r, by up to 2% and 4% for 18/23 and 6 MV, respectively.ConclusionsThe GESF concept provides acceptable accuracy (< 2%) for the calculation of Scp of the ASFs used in most clinical situations (except from SOF with EFC at large r), and thus can be used in MU verification calculations.