Comparison between PRIMO and EGSnrc Monte Carlo models of the Varian True Beam linear accelerator. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aamri, Hussin; Fielding, Andrew; Aamry, Ali; Sulieman, Abdelmoneim; Tamam, Nissren; Alkhorayef, Mohammed; Bradley, David A.
• Is Part Of: Radiation physics and chemistry. Volume 178(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Monte Carlo simulation -- Flattening-filter free (FFF) -- Linear accelerator (LINAC) -- EGSnrc -- Dose in build-up region -- PRIMO Code.; Radiation chemistry -- Periodicals; Radiometry -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Periodicals; Chimie sous rayonnement -- Périodiques; 539.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2020.109013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0969-806X

Abstract

Abstract: The study objectives were to simulate a 6 MV flattening filter-free (FFF) photon beam of a TrueBeam Varian LINAC, using the PRIMO code. The depth-dose profiles for various jaw open fields and cross-beam profiles for various depths inside water phantoms were determined using PRIMO simulations and were compared with the EGSnrc simulation results. A 93% match between both codes has generally been obtained, with a systematic variation in agreement between the two models that increases with field size. The closest agreement, to within 94%, was obtained for a 6 × 6 cm 2 jaw open field at 5.0 cm and 10.0 cm depths, better at 10- than at 5.0 cm depth. The effects of how scatter is modelled has been shown to result in the differences. Highlights: 6 MV flattening filter-free photon beam of a TrueBeam Varian LINAC was simulated. PRIMO code simulations were compared with the EGSnrc simulation results. A 93% match being between both codes has generally been obtained. PRIMO can be successfully used as an alternative code for dosimetric calculations.