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Extending the concept of primary and scatter separation to the condition of electronic disequilibrium
Author(s) -
Woo M. K.,
Cunningham J. R.,
Jezioranski J. J.
Publication year - 1990
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 - 10.1118/1.596577
Subject(s) - disequilibrium , superposition principle , convolution (computer science) , computer science , monte carlo method , algorithm , cover (algebra) , statistical physics , mathematical optimization , mathematics , artificial intelligence , physics , statistics , engineering , mathematical analysis , medicine , mechanical engineering , artificial neural network , ophthalmology
A major deficiency of current photon calculation methods that are based on the concept of primary and scatter separation is their inability to handle the condition of electronic disequilibrium. This deficiency is examined and it is shown that the limitation is not inherent in the algorithms themselves but is, at least in part, in the data which the algorithms use. A new concept of primary and scatter separation is developed to cover the condition of electronic disequilibrium. This new concept requires little change to the existing algorithms and only additional data are required, which are generated using Monte Carlo calculation methods. The new concept is tested using programs in the Theratronics Theraplan treatment‐planning system, and two calculation examples illustrate the ability to model electron transport and also the improvement over the existing algorithms. Close analogy of the extended concept with the convolution/superposition method of dose calculation is also indicated.