Determination of the relationship between dose deposition and Cerenkov photons in homogeneous and heterogeneous phantoms during radiotherapy using Monte Carlo method

To explore the response relationship between Cerenkov photons and dose deposition, which is the theoretical premise of dose measurement based on Cerenkov effect, Geant4 was used to simulate the process of homogeneous and heterogeneous phantoms irradiated with monoenergetic or clinical beam energy spectrum. Results showed certain response relationship between Cerenkov photons and dose deposition regardless of the phantom used under different irradiation conditions. However, deviation observed in the axial distribution of dose deposition as characterized by Cerenkov photons was larger under electron beam than under photon beam. (author)