Output and $k_{Q_{clin},Q_{msr}}^{f_{clin},f_{msr}}$ correction factors measured and calculated in very small circular fields for microDiamond and EFD-3G detectors

TL;DR

This study measured and calculated output correction factors for microDiamond and EFD-3G detectors in very small circular fields, using experimental and Monte Carlo methods, to improve dosimetry accuracy in small-field radiotherapy.

Contribution

It provides new correction factors for microDiamond and EFD-3G detectors in sub-5mm fields, including analysis of detector design variations and orientation effects.

Findings

Measured output factors agree within 2.4% for fields ≥10mm.

Monte Carlo calculations agree with film measurements within 2.2%.

Detector model variations have minimal impact on correction factors.

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to obtain output correction factors for microDiamond and EFD-3G detectors in very small (less than 5 mm) circular fields. We also investigated the impact of possible variations in microDiamond detector design schematics on the calculated correction factors. Output factors (OFs) of 6MV beams from TrueBeam linac collimated with 1.27-40mm diameter cones were measured with EBT3 films, microDiamond and EFD-3G detectors as well as calculated (in water) using Monte Carlo (MC) methods. Based on EBT3 measurements and MC calculations output correction factors were derived for these detectors. MC calculations were performed for microDiamond detector in parallel and perpendicular orientations relative to the beam axis. Furthermore, correction factors were calculated for two microDiamond detector models, differing by the presence or absence of metallic pins. The measured OFs agreed within 2.4% for fields $\geqslant$10mm. For the cones of 1.27, 2.46, and 3.77mm maximum differences were 17.9, 1.8 and 9.0%, respectively. MC calculated output factors in water agreed with those obtained using EBT3 film within 2.2% for all fields. MC calculated output correction factors for microDiamond detector in fields $\geqslant$10mm ranged within 0.975-1.020 for perpendicular and parallel orientations. MicroDiamond detector correction factors calculated for the 1.27, 2.46 and 3.77mm fields were 1.974, 1.139 and 0.982 with detector in parallel orientation, and these factors were 1.150, 0.925 and 0.914 in perpendicular orientation. Including metallic pins in the microDiamond model had little effect on calculated correction factors. EBT3 and MC obtained correction factors agreed within 3.7% for fields of $\geqslant$3.77mm and within 5.9% for smaller cones. Including metallic pins into the detector model is not necessary as their presence/absence had no effect on calculated correction factors.