Malfunction of linear accelerator dose monitoring systems

Malfunctions of the dose monitoring systems of two linear accelerators were studied. A variation of plus or minus 2.5% over an air density correction factor range from 1.02 to 1.07 was measured, suggesting that the ionization-type monitor chambers were open to the atmosphere. An average variation of minus 2.0% was present between early morning calibrations and those performed later in the day. Any variation caused by changes in control console temperature was within experimental error. This type of malfunction can lead to errors in delivered doses of 5%.