Linear energy transfer-independent calibration of radiochromic film for carbon-ion beams

Abstract

For carbon-ion beams, radiochromic film response depends on the dose and linear energy transfer (LET). For film dosimetry, we developed an LET-independent simple calibration method for a radiochromic film for specific therapeutic carbon-ion beams. The measured film doses were calibrated with a linear function within 5% error. The penumbra positions of the films were consistent with the differences from the planned ones within ~0.4 mm. The results indicated sufficient accuracy for use as a tool for the confirmation of the penumbra position of the fields.

Keywords

• Carbon-ion beam therapy
• Film dosimetry in spacer
• LET-independent simple calibration
• Radiochromic film
• Gafchromic RTQA2 film