Validation of a simple analytical model for in-air outputfactor calculation for SL-15 Philips-Elekta linear...

A simple aralytical approach to model extrafocal radiation (EFR) and monitor chamber backscatter (MBS)-and consequently collimator scattar factor-is investigated. The model has been applied to 6 and 10 MV photon beams produced by a Philips-Elekta SL-15 medical linear accelerator. Both EFR and MBS are determined simultaneously using conventional measured data at the isocenter and the calculated in-air output factors (S(c)) were in good agreement with the measured values. When the square field size changes from 4x4 to 40x40 cm(2), the total intensities of EFR were 17.6% and 13%, while the MBS contributions to S(c) were 0.1% and 0.2% for 6 and 10 mv, respectively. The model was also used to calculate S(c) for symmetric or asymmetric rectangular jaws-defined fields with an accuracy of less than 0.2% at extended or shortened source detector distances Moreover, the model was verified for both very small field sizes (2x2 cm(2) down to 0.6x0.6 cm(2)) and for field sizes defined by micro multi-leaf collimator to check its applicability for stereotactic radiotherapy dose calculations. A simple programme is designed to facilitate the calculation process of S(c) for a medical linear accelerator at different situations either for commissioning or verification of the model at different energies.