Impact of Scattering Foil Composition on Electron Energy Distribution in a Clinical Linear Accelerator Modified for FLASH Radiotherapy: A Monte Carlo Study

Abstract

This study investigates how scattering foil materials and sampling holder placement affect electron energy distribution in electron beams from a modified medical linear accelerator for FLASH radiotherapy. We analyze electron energy spectra at various positions—ionization chamber, mirror, and jaw—to evaluate the impact of Cu, Pb-Cu, Pb, and Ta foils. Our findings show that close proximity to the source intensifies the dependence of electron energy distribution on foil material, enabling precise beam control through material selection. Monte Carlo simulations are effective for designing foils to achieve desired energy distributions. Moving the sampling holder farther from the source reduces foil material influence, promoting more uniform energy spreads, particularly in the 0.5–10 MeV range for 12 MeV electron beams. These insights emphasize the critical role of tailored material selection and sampling holder positioning in optimizing electron energy distribution and fluence intensity for FLASH radiotherapy research, benefiting both experimental design and clinical applications.