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Ionization produced by electron beams beneath curved surfaces
Author(s) -
Ritenour E. R.,
Cacak R. K.,
Hendee W. R.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 2473-4209
pISSN - 0094-2405
DOI - 10.1118/1.595334
Subject(s) - ionization , electron , curvature , atomic physics , range (aeronautics) , materials science , physics , ion , nuclear physics , geometry , mathematics , quantum mechanics , composite material
Ionization produced by high‐energy (6–18 MeV) electrons beneath cylindrical surfaces has been measured and compared to ionization at corresponding locations under a flat surface. Results are reported as ionization ratios over a range of depths, off‐axis distances, radii of curvature, and electron energies. Phantoms with cylindrical entrance surfaces (radii 6–15 cm) were utilized to simulate patient contours. Measurements reveal that ionization ratios may depart from unity by as much as 50% and that a simple shifting of isodose curves may be insufficient to compensate for perturbation in electron dose distribution introduced by curved surfaces.