Ionization collection efficiencies of some ionization chambers in pulsed and continuous radiation beams.
The most commonly used method of calibrating high-energy photon or electron beams consists in converting cavity ionization to dose by the application of the appropriate Clambda or CE multipled by the 60Co correction factor. The correct interpretation of calibration data for pulsed photon or electron beams requires a knowledge of the charge collection efficiencies of the ionization chambers used. The results are presented of efficiency measurements for both pulsed and continuous beams made with these chambers: 0.6-cm3 Farmer, 0.5-cm3 Spokas, 3-cm3 Shonka, 1-cm3 PTW, and 1-cm3 Memorial pancake. The dependence of collection efficiency on collection voltage, dose rate, and dose per pulse is demonstrated. These results are shown to agree with Boag's formulas for collection efficiency. Attention is drawn to the fact that several kinds of dosimeters provide only minimal collection voltages for efficient collection of charge at high dose rates, especially in Linac electron beams. It is recommended to check the collection efficiency of chambers which are to be used at high dose rates, and a simple method for this purpose is described.
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D004583:Electrons; D005720:Gamma Rays; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage / Q000592:standards*
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes