title: A software tool for 2D/3D visualization and analysis of phase-space data generated by Monte Carlo modelling of medical linear accelerators.
abstract: A computer program has been developed for novel 2D/3D visualization and analysis of the phase-space parameters of Monte Carlo simulations of medical accelerator radiation beams. The software is written in the IDL language and reads the phase-space data generated in the BEAMnrc/BEAM Monte Carlo code format. Contour and colour-wash plots of the fluence, mean energy, energy fluence, mean angle, spectra distribution, energy fluence distribution, angular distribution, and slices and projections of the 3D ZLAST distribution can be calculated and displayed. Based on our experience of using it at Massachusetts General Hospital, the software has proven to be a useful tool for analysis and verification of the Monte Carlo generated phase-space files. The software is in the public domain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Neicu
authors.forename: Khaled M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Aljarrah
authors.forename: Steve B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D003196:Computer Graphics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D010315:Particle Accelerators / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface