Enhancing Precision in Radiotherapy Delivery: Validating Monte Carlo Simulation Models for 6 MV Elekta Synergy Agility LINAC Photon Beam Using Two Models of the GAMOS Code

The most crucial requirement in radiation therapy treatment planning is a fast and accurate treatment planning system that minimizes damage to healthy tissues surrounding cancer cells. The use of Monte Carlo toolkits has become indispensable for research aimed at precisely determining the dose in radiotherapy. Among the numerous algorithms developed in recent years, the GAMOS code, which utilizes the Geant4 toolkit for Monte Carlo simula-tions, incorporates various electromagnetic physics models and multiple scattering models for simulating particle interactions with matter. This makes it a valuable tool for dose calculations in medical applications and throughout the patient’s volume. The aim of this present work aims to vali-date the GAMOS code for the simulation of a 6 MV photon-beam output from the Elekta Synergy Agility linear accelerator. The simulation involves mod-eling the major components of the accelerator head and the interactions of the radiation beam with a homogeneous water phantom and particle information was collected following the modeling of the phase space. This space was po-sitioned under the X and Y jaws, utilizing three electromagnetic physics mod-els of the GAMOS code: Standard, Penelope, and Low-Energy, along with three multiple scattering models: Goudsmit-Saunderson, Urban, and Wentzel-VI. The obtained phase space file was used as a particle source to simulate dose distributions (depth-dose and dose profile) for field sizes of 5 × 5 cm2 and 10 × 10 cm2 at depths of 10 cm and 20 cm in a water phantom, with a source-surface distance (SSD) of 90 cm from the target. We compared the three electromagnetic physics models and the three multiple scattering mod-els of the GAMOS code to experimental results. Validation of our results was performed using the gamma index, with an acceptability criterion of 3% for the dose difference (DD) and 3 mm for the distance-to-agreement (DTA). We achieved agreements of 94% and 96%, respectively, between simulation and experimentation for the three electromagnetic physics models and three mul-tiple scattering models, for field sizes of 5 × 5 cm2 and 10 × 10 cm2 for depth-dose curves. For dose profile curves, a good agreement of 100% was found between simulation and experimentation for the three electromagnetic physics models, as well as for the three multiple scattering models for a field size of 5 × 5 cm2 at 10 cm and 20 cm depths. For a field size of 10 × 10 cm2, the Penelope model dominated with 98% for 10 cm, along with the three multiple scattering models. The Penelope model and the Standard model, along with the three multiple scattering models, dominated with 100% for 20 cm. Our study, which compared these different GAMOS code models, can be crucial for enhancing the accuracy and quality of radiotherapy, contributing to more effective patient treatment. Our research compares various electro-magnetic physics models and multiple scattering models with experimental measurements, enabling us to choose the models that produce the most reli-able results, thereby directly impacting the quality of simulations. This en-hances confidence in using these models for treatment planning. Our re-search consistently contributes to the progress of Monte Carlo simulation techniques in radiation therapy, enriching the scientific literature.

基于国产加速器URT-Linac 506c的计划复杂度分析和患者计划质量保证预测

目的 探讨基于国产联影URT-Linac 506c加速器的容积弧形调强放射治疗(Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy,VMAT)计划复杂度参数与患者计划质量保证(Patient Specific Quality Assurance,PSQA)间的关系,并建立机器学习模型对PSQA结果进行评估和预测。方法 随机选取150例在URT-Linac 506c加速器上行VMAT治疗计划的患者为研究对象,在该加速器上对所有计划进行基于机载电子射野影像系统探测器的PSQA剂量验证。对剂量验证结果进行阈值为10%、标准为2%/2 mm的伽马通过率分析。同时对每个计划基于多叶准直器位置和跳数,提取其中的11个复杂度参数。分析复杂度参数和PSQA结果间的关系,并建立机器学习模型对PSQA结果进行预测。结果 计划复杂度参数与PSQA结果的相关性分析表明二者并不严格呈线性相关,但计划的复杂程度越高,PSQA通过率相对越低。梯度提升决策树(Gradient Boosting Decision Tree,GBDT)模型和随机森林(Random Forest,RF)模型对基于复杂度参数的PSQA结果预测水平相当,GBDT模型和RF模型的平均预测误差分别为0.55%和0.54%。由于PSQA结果分布严重不平衡,更改过权重后的模型对低通过率部分的预测能力有所提升。结论 对于国产加速器URT-Linac 506c,这2种基于决策树结构的机器学习模型对PSQA结果的预测可提供一定的帮助,建立更精准的模型需要进一步完善采集患者的样本量。

瓦里安Clinac 23EX常见GFIL连锁系统故障分析

根据加速器电子枪控制系统原理,利用数字万用表、示波器、高压棒等进行有关参数的测量对比,对该机器出现GFIL连锁故障进行测量和比较分析,找出其根本原因,总结该机器GFIL连锁,实现GFIL连锁出现时进行快速维修,为患者缩短等候时间。瓦里安23EX加速器常见的GFIL连锁故障维修效果较好,提高了机器的稳定性能、显著减少相关联故障的发生,提高了开机率。

基于LINAC慢正电子源的EGS4模拟

介绍基于BEPCLINAC和BFELLINAC（北京正负电子对撞机和北京自由电子激光装置电子直线加速器）慢正电子束设备中正电子源部分的Monte－Carlo模拟过程。结果表明，从Ta靶出射的快正电子产额在BEPCLINAC和BFELMNAC运行于兼容模式时分别为184×1010/s和3．9×1011/s。若慢化体慢化效率在10-4量级，基于BEPCLINAC和BFELLINAC慢正电子束的慢正电子产额分别为106－107/s和107－108/s。

Visual Analysis of the Daily QA Results of Photon and Electron Beams of a Trilogy Linac over a Five-Year Period

Data visualization technique was applied to analyze the daily QA results of photon and electron beams. Special attention was paid to any trend the beams might display. A Varian Trilogy Linac equipped with dual photon energies and five electron energies was commissioned in early 2010. Daily Linac QA tests including the output constancy, beam flatness and symmetry (radial and transverse directions) were performed with an ionization chamber array device (QA Beam Checker Plus, Standard Imaging). The data of five years were collected and analyzed. For each energy, the measured data were exported and processed for visual trending using an in-house Matlab program. These daily data were cross-correlated with the monthly QA and annual QA results, as well as the preventive maintenance records. Majority of the output were within 1% of variation, with a consistent positive/upward drift for all seven energies (^+0.25% per month). The baseline of daily device is reset annually right after the TG-51 calibration. This results in a sudden drop of the output. On the other hand, the large amount of data using the same baseline exhibits a sinusoidal behavior (period = 12 months;amplitude = 0.8%, 0.5% for photons, electrons, respectively) on symmetry and flatness when normalization of baselines is accounted for. The well known phenomenon of new Linac output drift was clearly displayed. This output drift was a result of the air leakage of the over-pressurized sealed monitor chambers for the specific vendor. Data visualization is a new trend in the era of big data in radiation oncology research. It allows the data to be displayed visually and therefore more intuitive. Based on the visual display from the past, the physicist might predict the trend of the Linac and take actions proactively. It also makes comparisons, alerts failures, and potentially identifies causalities.

Strip line beam position monitor for HLS LINAC

The parameters of beam transverse positions at HLS 200 MeV LINAC are very important to injection ef-ficiency. We have designed a new non-interceptive strip line beam position monitor (BPM) as a substitution for the original interceptive fluorescent target. This paper gives out the theoretical analysis and bench test result of the strip line BPM. The BPM has a characteristic impedance of (50±5)?, a reflection coefficient of less than –4 dB, a band-width of 400 MHz, a coupling coefficient of less than -15 dB, and a sensitivity of 1.16 dB/mm. Additionally, the strip line BPM has a good linearity.

Proton linac-based therapy facility for ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) treatment

As an advanced treatment method in the past five years,ultra-high dose rate(FLASH)radiotherapy as a breakthrough and milestone in radiotherapy development has been verified to be much less harmful to healthy tissues in different experiments.FLASH treatments require an instantaneous dose rate as high as hundreds of grays per second to complete the treatment in less than 100 ms.Current proton therapy facilities with the spread-out of the Bragg peak formed by different energy layers,to our knowledge,cannot easily achieve an adequate dose rate for FLASH treatments because the energy layer switch or gantry rotation of current facilities requires a few seconds,which is relatively long.A new design for a therapy facility based on a proton linear accelerator(linac)for FLASH treatment is proposed herein.It is designed under two criteria:no mechanical motion and no magnetic field variation.The new therapy facility can achieve an ultrahigh dose rate of up to 300 Gy/s;however,it delivers an instantaneous dose of 30 Gy within 100 ms to complete a typical FLASH treatment.The design includes a compact proton linac with permanent magnets,a fast beam kicker in both azimuth and elevation angles,a fixed gantry with a static superconducting coil to steer proton bunches with all energy,a fast beam scanner using radio-frequency(RF)deflectors,and a fast low-level RF system.All relevant principles and conceptual proposals are presented herein.

Cryogenic system design for HIAF iLinac

A helium cryogenic system is designed by the Institute of Modern Physics,Chinese Academy of Sciences,to supply different cooling powers to the cryomodules of ion-Linac(iLinac)accelerator,which serves as the injector of the High Intensity Heavy-Ion Accelerator Facility project.The iLinac is a superconducting heavy-ion accelerator approximately 100 m long and contains 13 cryomodules cooled by superfluid helium.This article describes the cryogenic system design of the iLinac accelerator.The requirements of the cryogenic system,such as cooling mode,refrigeration temperature,operating pressure and pressure stability,are introduced and described in detail.In addition,heat loads from different sources are analyzed and calculated quantitatively.An equivalent cooling capacity of 10 kW at 4.5 K was determined for the cryogenic system according to the total heat load.Furthermore,a system process design was conducted and analyzed in detail.Further,the system layout and the main equipment are presented.

Commissioning experiences with the spoke-based CW superconducting proton linac

The 10-MeV Accelerator-Driven Subcritical(ADS)system Injector-I test stand at the Institute of High Energy Physics(IHEP)is a testing facility dedicated to demonstrating the feasibility of the spoke-based super-conducting(SC)linear accelerator(linac)for the ADS project in China.The injector adopted a four-vane copper structure radio frequency quadrupole(RFQ)with an output energy of 3.2 MeV and an SC section accommodating 14 β_(g)=0.12 single spoke cavities,14 SC solenoids,and 14 cold beam position monitors(BPMs).A 10-MeV pulsed beam with a beam current of 10 mA and a 2-mA continuous wave(CW)beam were successfully shooting through.The commissioning results confirmed the feasibility of using a 325-MHz spoke-type cavity for accelerating the proton beam in the low β and medium β sections.This paper describes the results achieved,the difficulties encountered,and the experiences obtained during commissioning.

What Do We Mean When We Talk about the Linac Isocenter?

Purpose: The isocenter of a medical linac system is a frequently used concept in clinical practice. However, so far not all the isocenters are rigorously defined. This work is intended as an attempt of deriving consistent and operable isocenter definitions. Methods: The isocenter definition is based on a fundamental concept, the axis of rotation of a rigid body. The axis of rotation is determined using the trajectory of any point on a plane that intersects the rigid body. A point on the axis of rotation is found through the minimal bounding sphere of the trajectory when the rigid body makes a full rotation. The essential mathematical tool of the isocenter definition system is three-dimensional coordinate transformation. Results: The axes of rotation of the linac collimator, gantry, and couch are established first. The linac mechanical isocenter (linac isocenter) is defined as the center of a circle that best fits the trajectory of a select linac X-ray source position. The axis of rotation and the minimal bounding sphere are cornerstones for the rotation isocenters of the collimator, gantry and couch. The definition of radiation isocenter incorporates a surrogate of the useful beam axis. Conclusions: A framework of isocenter definitions for medical linacs is presented in this manuscript. Consistent meanings of the mechanical and radiation isocenters can be achieved using this approach.

E-linac数字化设计管理系统分析

直线加速器设计的信息化和网络化是今后加速器的发展趋势,文章在进行电子直线加速器(E-linac)数字化设计的基础上,构建了E-linac数字化设计管理系统,以解决设计管理中存在的信息共享、资源统筹差、工作协调不够等问题,提高设计管理的效率和加速器数字化设计的研究水平,以信息化推进加速器数字化设计管理体系和设计现代化,为直线加速器数字化设计变革创新奠定基础。

Fabrication and cold test of prototype of spatially periodic radio frequency quadrupole focusing linac

A 325 MHz aluminum prototype of a spatially periodic RF quadrupole focusing linac was developed at the Institute of Modern Physics,Chinese Academy of Sciences,as a promising candidate for the front end of a high-current linac.It consists of an alternating series of crossbar H-type drift tubes and RF quadrupole sections.Owing to its special geometry,cavity fabrication is a major hurdle for its engineering development and application.In this paper,we report the detailed mechanical design of this structure and describe its fabrication process,including machining,assembly,and inspection.The field distribution was measured by the bead-pull technique.The results show that the field errors of both the accelerating and focusing fields are within an acceptable range.A tuning scheme for this new structure is proposed and verified.The cold test process and results are presented in detail.The development of this prototype provides valuable guidance for the application of the spatially periodic RF quadrupole structure.

Measurement of Electron Return Effect and Skin Dose Reduction by a Bolus in an Anthropomorphic Physical Phantom under a Magnetic Resonance Guided Linear Accelerator (MR-LINAC) System

Background: Magnetic resonance image-guided radiation therapy (MR-IGRT) promises more precise and effective radiation treatments compared to conventional IGRT by using real-time on-board MR imaging. Under the influence of a magnetic field, however, secondary electrons exiting a surface can be forced in a circular path and re-enter the medium, resulting in dose increase at a beam-exit surface, called the electron return effect (ERE). The purpose of the study is to compare the exit skin dose computed by Monte Carlo dose calculation with measurements using an adult anthropomorphic phantom and to measure the effect of skin dose reduction by adding 1 cm-thick bolus. Method: The plan was compared with measurements using an adult anthropomorphic phantom combined with radiochromic films and thermoluminescent dosimeters. We also measured the skin dose reduction by adding 1 cm-thick bolus on the frontal surface of the phantom. Results: We found that 1 cm-thick bolus reduced the skin dose by up to 20% both in measurements and calculations. The plan was found to overestimate the measured skin dose by about 10% and there was no significant difference in the bolus effect between the breast skin and the skin (without breast attachment) doses. Conclusion: In conclusion, we confirmed the ERE effect on the anthropomorphic phantom under the magnetic field and the exit skin dose reduction by adding a bolus. Skin dose measurements using anthropomorphic phantom may be helpful to evaluate more realistic skin dose and the bolus effect in the magnetic field.

E-Linac加速管数字化设计系统

E-Linac加速管数字化设计系统通过将加速管的设计流程进行合理的模块划分,充分利用已有的加速管辅助设计软件SuperFish和Parmela,将设计流程中许多重复性的计算工作交由系统来完成,从而大大降低了设计人员的设计负担。文中介绍了E-Linac加速管数字化设计系统的结构和功能,并详细论述了该系统的实现方式。

SIMULATION OF MICROWAVE GUN INJECTOR RF LINAC DRIVING INFRARED FREE ELECTRON LASERS

In contrast with the conventional injector consisting of dc gun, chopper, subharmonicbuncher and/or fundamental buncher, a microwave gun can cooperate with an alpha magnet as amore compact high brightness injector for the dedicated rf linear accelerators driving infrared freeelectron lasers (FELs). Such a concept has been put into practice in the MARK III FEL and willbe used in the Beijing Free Electron Laser (BFEL) as well. In this paper, the phase spread, energyspread, energy spread, emittance growth and intensity variation of a single electron microbunchin such an FEL accelerator system are investigated using SUPERFISH and PARMELA.

Dosimetric Characteristics of 6 MV Medical Linac at BAEC

Dosimetric characteristic is one of the essential parameters of a medical linear accelerator (LINAC), which must be obtained before clinical use. The dosimetric characteristics for 6 MV photon beam were measured and compared with the corresponding published data. The study was done using a Varian linear accelerator (Model Clinac-iX) at the Institute of Nuclear Medical Physics (INMP), AERE, Savar, Dhaka, under the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC). The data is taken for 10 field sizes (2 × 2, 3 × 3, 5 × 5, 7 × 7, 10 × 10, 15 × 15, 20 × 20, 25 × 25, 30 × 30 and 40 × 40 cm2) at same conditions. The measured Percent Depth Dose (PDD) curves were obtained for 6 MV photon beams with the field as mentioned above and compared with the calculated PDD curves. The measured depth dose (Dmax) for reference field size (FS) 10 × 10 cm2 is 15.99 mm, and the PDD at 10 cm depth (D10) is 66.87% for 6 MV photon energies that are found to be compatible with the published report BJR supplement 25. The measured PDD curves for photon energies show a good agreement with the standard PDD curves. The photon beam dosimetry data found in the current study are compatible and all the tolerances are within the clinically acceptable tolerance limit.

Computing Efficiency Improvement in Monte Carlo Simulation of a 12 MV Photon Beam Medical LINAC

Variance reduction techniques (VRTs) have been tremendously successful when applied to Monte Carlo radiation transport codes for which the computation time constitutes an important and a problematic parameter. In fact, many Monte Carlo calculations absolutely require variance reduction methods to achieve practical computation times. The MCNPX code has a fairly rich set of variance reduction techniques;the most known are transport cutoffs, interaction forcing, Bremsstrahlung splitting and Russian roulette. Also, the use of a phase space seems to be appropriate to reduce enormously the computing time. This work deals with the use of VRTs provided by MCNPX code for the simulation of a clinical linear electron accelerator (LINAC). Differences between various sets of VRTs are investigated. Combination between VRTs and PS is also analyzed during this study. Analysis showed that the use of VRTs and PS improve the simulation efficiency by a factor greater than 700. Finally, experimental curves of depth-dose and dose profile performed in a homogeneous water phantom are compared to dose distributions computed by use of MCNPX Monte Carlo code.

Linac Beam Dynamics Code Benchmarking

The code benchmarking for hadron linac using the 3D Particle-In-Cell (PIC) code is an important task in the European framework “High Intensity Pulsed Proton Injector” (HIPPI). PARMILA and HALODYN are two of the codes involved in this work. Both of these codes have been developed and used for linac design and beam dynamics studies. In this paper, the simulation results of the beam dynamics were compared and analyzed. As predicted by two codes, the simulation results show some agreements. The physical design strategy which was adopted in two codes was also discussed.

6-5 Progress of Superconducting Linac for China ADS

The China accelerator driven sub-critical system (China ADS) proposed by Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)is one of "Strategic Technology Pilot Project" started in 2011. In the first 5 years, the China ADS project mainlyfocuses on the R&D of key technologies in accelerator, spallation target, and sub-critical reactor. A 25 MeV, 10mA, continuous-wave (CW) superconducting proton linac will be built to demonstrate the key technologies and thefeasibility of a high power beam at the Institute of Modern Physics (IMP).