Evaluation of latent variances in Monte Carlo dose calculations with Varian TrueBeam photon phase-spaces used as a particle source

TL;DR

This study evaluates the latent variance in Monte Carlo dose calculations using Varian TrueBeam photon phase-space files, demonstrating that a single PSF suffices for open fields but multiple are needed for small SRS fields.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of latent variance in phase-space files for different energies and collimation sizes, informing best practices for Monte Carlo simulations in radiotherapy.

Findings

Latent variance decreases with depth in open fields.

Single PSF achieves sub-percent variance for open fields.

Multiple PSFs are required for small SRS fields.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the latent variance (LV) of TrueBeam photon phase-space files (PSF) for open 10x10$cm^2$ and small fields. Methods: BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc was used to transport particles from Varian phase-space files (PSFA) through the secondary collimators. Transported particles were scored into another phase-space located under the jaws (PSFB), or transported further through the cone collimators and scored straight below, forming PSFC. PFSB were scored for 6MV-FFF, 6MV, 10MV-FFF, 10MV and 15MV beams with 10x10$cm^2$ field size, and PSFC were scored for 6MV beam under cones of 0.13, 0.25, 0.35, 1.0, 1.2, 1.5 and 4cm diameter. PSFB and PSFC were transported into a water phantom with particle recycling number ranging from 10 to 1000. For 10x10$cm^2$ fields 0.5x0.5x0.5cm^3 voxels were used to score the dose, whereas the dose was scored in 0.1x0.1x0.5cm^3 voxels for beams collimated with small cones. For small 0.25cm diameter cone-collimated 6MV beam, phantom voxel size varied as 0.02x0.02x0.5cm^3, 0.05x0.05x0.5cm^3 and 0.1x0.1x0.5cm^3. Dose variances were scored in all cases and LV evaluated as per Sempau et al. Results: For the 10x10cm^2 fields calculated LVs were greatest at the phantom surface and decreased with depth until reached a plateau at 5cm depth. LVs were 0.54%, 0.96%, 0.35%, 0.69% and 0.57% for the 6MV-FFF, 6MV, 10MV-FFF, 10MV and 15MV energies, respectively at 10cm depth. For the 6 MV phase-space collimated with cones of 0.13, 0.25, 0.35, 1.0cm diameter, the LVs calculated at 1.5cm depth were 75.6%, 25.4%, 17.6% and 8.0% respectively. Calculated LV for the 0.25cm cone-collimated 6MV beam were 61.2%, 40.7%, 22.5% in 0.02x0.02x0.5cm^3, 0.05x0.05x0.5cm^3 and 0.1x0.1x0.5cm^3 voxels respectively. Conclusion: Single PSF can be used to achieve sub-percent latent variance in open 10x10cm^2 field MC simulations, whereas more PSFs would have to be summed for small SRS fields.