Out-of-field beam characteristics of a 6 MV photon beam: Results of a Monte Carlo study

Detailed characteristics of particles in the periphery of a 6 MV photon beam resulting from the exposure of a water phantom were analyzed. The characteristics at the periphery were determined with respect to particles' origin and charge, using Monte Carlo simulations. Results showed that in the peripheral regions, the energy fluence and the mean energy distribution of particles are independent of depth, and the majority of charged particles originate in the irradiated volume. The results are used to examine out-of-field dosimetry factors.

► A Monte Carlo model of a 6 MV photon beam was created and verified.
► The spatial and energy distributions were determined in and out of the modeled beam.
► Variation of the evaluated beam characteristics with field size and depth was investigated.
► The contribution of internal scatter to peripheral radiation at different depths was determined.
► The out of field energy distributions were used to analyze out of field dosimetry factors.