SU-E-T-121: Investigating the Optimal Scanning Resolution for Radiochromic EBT-2 Films Using an Epson 10000XL Flatbed...

The purpose of this work is to determine the optimal scanner resolution of an Epson 10000XL scanner for the analysis of radiochromic EBT-2 films. Using Fourier analysis and the Nyquist-Shanon sampling theory, the highest frequency component required to sufficiently reproduce a previously measured step dose profile was investigated.

A setup was created, in which one half of a 6×6cm² EBT-2 film was shielded on exposure using a 15×5×10cm³ lead block to obtain sharp step dose profiles. The film itself was placed between two 6cm RW3 stacks on top of which the lead block was placed. Using a Siemens Primus linear accelerator operating at 6/15MV nominal energies, the setup was exposed to 400MUs at 6MV and 500MUs at 15MV respectively. Preliminary investigations were performed without RW3 between the lead and film. Initial image acquisition was performed at 600dpi to minimize information loss. Using the average of five line profiles, a uniformity correction algorithm provided by the manufacturer was implemented prior to the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) operation. In an iterative process, all frequency components above a cut-off frequency wcut were successively removed and the original image reconstructed with the inverse FFT operation. The goodness of fit was evaluated by comparing the change in penumbra width on image reconstruction.

The minimum scanning resolution required to analyze the step dose profiles created without build-up material was 52dpi for 6MV and 30dpi for 15MV. By adding build-up material, in the areas of secondary electron equilibrium the required resolution reduces to 12dpi for 6MV and 8dpi for 15MV.

For sufficient image reproduction within any information loss, resolutions as low as 52dpi at 6MV and 30dpi at 15MV are sufficient for evaluating EBT-2 films. This is in compliance with 50dpi recommended by the manufacturer.