Calibration of Therapy Level Ionization Chamber at 60Co Teletherapy Beam Used for Radiation Therapy

Abstract

The accuracy and traceability of absorbed dose to water measurement of radiotherapy beam is a critical issue to achieve the curative outcome of cancer patients. The current dosimetry protocols for radiotherapy beams TRS-398, TG-51 and DIN-6800-2 are based on the calibration factor of ionization chamber in terms of absorbed dose to water for 60Co beam. The accuracy of the calibration factor of ionization chamber as well as output of radiotherapy beam is the primary requirements of precisional dose deliver to the tumor which is the QA part of radiotherapy dosimetry. In the present study, we have calibrated 9 different ionization chambers (8 thimbles and 1 parallel plate) of various active volumes for 60Co beam against reference standard NE2571 and compared with manufacturer’s values. The Percentage Depth Dose (PDD) and Output Factors (OF) of two cobalt units were measured with standard calibration system by following IAEA dosimetry protocol TRS-398 and compare with 6 MV photon beam from medical linear accelerator. The traceability of the dosimetry was verified by the participation of postal dose IAEA/WHO intercomparison program. The aim of the participation was to investigate uncertainties involved in the calibration of Ionization Chamber (IC) and absorbed dose measurement. The percentage of deviation relative to IAEA mean dose was found to be -0.2% (traceable limit ±5%), which shows an excellent agreement of calibration of beam as well as ionization chamber with international standard. The deviation of factors of ionization chambers between the measured and manufacturer’s values were found within 0.07-2.81% with an uncertainty of ±1.5% (k=1).