Photon absorbed dose: the UK standard

Since 1988, the primary standard for megavoltage photon dosimetry in the UK has been a graphite calorimeter. The routine calibration of secondary standard ionisation chambers has been provided by NPL directly in terms of absorbed dose to water since then, with users following the 1990 IPSM Code of Practice. Comparisons of the primary standard with NPL's reference ionisation chambers have been carried out annually, and the calibration service has been offered in the spring and autumn each year, for 60Co γ-rays and 4 MV to 19 MV X-rays. The data generated have been analysed and the results of this analysis are presented here. The long-term stability of the NE 2561 chamber, and its value in maintaining the standard of absorbed dose is demonstrated. The utility of TPR as a beam quality parameter is discussed, and the resulting ambiguity in chamber calibration is quantified. The conversion of dose from graphite to water is summarized, and changes in the basis of the NPL absorbed dose standard over the last seven years are described