Presumption of the energy-spectrum of high-energy electron beam based on the beta-distribution model

The energy spectra of high-energy electron beams used in radiotherapy are the most important data for evaluating absorbed doses and/or dose distributions in the body of a patient. However, it is impossible to measure the actual spectra of a high-energy electron beam. In this study, we suggest a method to presume the spectra of high-energy electron beams by use of the beta distribution model. The procedure of this method is as follows: (1) the spectrum of the high-energy electron beam was assumed to have a maximum energy Emax, and α, β parameters of the beta probability density function. (2) The percentage depth dose (PDD) based on the assumed spectrum was calculated by a Monte Carlo simulation. (3) The best matching energy spectrum was searched in comparison with the experimental PDD curves. Finally, the optimal energy spectrum of the electron beam was estimated after reiterating the process from (1) to (3). With our method, the measured PDD curves were optimally simulated following the experimental data. It appeared that the assumed spectra approximated well to the actual spectra. However, the error between the assumed and experimental data was observed in the region under the incident surface. We believe this was due to the influence of low-energy electrons scattered at installed collimators, etc. In order to simulate PDDs in this region accurately, a further correction process is required for a spectrum based on the beta distribution model. (author)