Monte Carlo verification of the holder correction factors for the radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeter used by the IAEA in international dosimetry audits

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), jointly with the World Health Organization (WHO), has operated a postal dosimetry audit program for radiotherapy centers worldwide since 1969. In 2017 the IAEA introduced a new methodology based on radiophotoluminescent dosimetry (RPLD) for these audits. The detection system consists of a phosphate glass dosimeter inserted in a plastic capsule that is kept in measuring position with a PMMA holder during irradiation. Correction factors for this holder were obtained using experimental methods. In this work these methods are described and the resulting factors are verified by means of Monte Carlo simulation with the general-purpose code PENELOPE for a range of photon beam qualities relevant in radiotherapy. The study relies on a detailed geometrical representation of the experimental setup. Various photon beams were obtained from faithful modeling of the corresponding linacs. Monte Carlo simulation transport parameters are selected to ensure subpercent accuracy. The simulated correction factors fall in the interval 1.005-1.008 (+/- 0.2%), with deviations with respect to experimental values not larger than 0.2(2)%. This study corroborates the validity of the holder correction factors currently used for the IAEA audits.

Automated summary

The IAEA has operated a global postal dosimetry audit program for radiotherapy centers in collaboration with the WHO since 1969. In 2017, a new methodology based on radiophotoluminescent dosimetry was introduced for these audits.