The characterization of the Advanced Markus ionization chamber for use in reference electron dosimetry in the UK

The IPEM Code of Practice (IPEM 2003) for electron dosimetry for radiotherapy beams recommends design requirements for parallel-plate ionization chambers used to determine absorbed dose to water in an electron beam. The Classic Markus design has been found not to meet these requirements. The Advanced Markus ionization chamber has been designed to rectify the problems associated with the Classic Markus ionization chamber. The response of three Advanced Markus ionization chambers was investigated and compared to the designated chamber types. Absorbed dose to water calibration factors were derived at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) for each ionization chamber at seven electron energies in the range nominally 4-19 MeV. Investigations were carried out into chamber settling, polarity effects, ion recombination and the chamber perturbation. The response of the ionization chambers in a clinical beam was also investigated. In general all three Advanced Markus ionization chambers showed the same energy response. The magnitude of the polarity effect was typically 5% at a nominal energy of 4 MeV. There was discrepancy between the polarity measurements made at the NPL and in the clinic. The recommendation of this study is that this chamber type is not suitable for reference dosimetry in electron beams.