title: Computed limitations of spot scanning for therapeutic proton beams.
abstract: A calculation depending on the computed fit of a novel mathematical model of the depth dose distribution for a therapeutic proton beam in water and its relevance to a spot scanning system are described. The resulting requirements for lateral and longitudinal precision of the irradiated spots are derived using the standard criterion for allowed dose variation within the tumour volume and the implications of these exacting limits are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: C V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gonin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wynchank
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010315:Particle Accelerators; D011522:Protons; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage
chemical_list: D011522:Protons