title: An investigation into the use of carbon fibre for megavoltage radiotherapy applications.
abstract: Properties of carbon fibre of relevance to its use for megavoltage radiotherapy applications have been investigated. Measurements have been made of the percentage transmission and percentage build-up of carbon fibre at energies of 5, 6 and 8 MV. The results are presented in comparison with those obtained for other materials commonly used in radiotherapy: polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), PETG copolyester and expanded polystyrene foam. It was found that carbon fibre has a higher percentage transmission and a lower percentage build-up than either PMMA or PETG copolyester. It was also found that the build-up due to a combination of carbon fibre and 5 cm of polystyrene foam was less than 65% over the energy range for which measurements were made, and much lower than that due to PETG copolyester. It is thus proposed that carbon fibre is a suitable material from which to make devices for use in megavoltage radiotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, Addenbrooke's NHS Trust, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Meara
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Langmack
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D002244:Carbon; D004867:Equipment Design; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D011137:Polystyrenes; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D011137:Polystyrenes; D002244:Carbon; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate