Variation of percentage depth dose with beam area of 43 Mv roentgenray beam from a betatron

The central axis percentage depth dose of a 43 MV roentgen ray beam from a betatron, is found to decrease with increasing beam area at depths more than the depth of maximum dose build-up. At depths less than the depth of maximum dose build-up, a reverse trend is seen. This type of variation of central axis percentage depth dose with beam area is found due to the presence of extraneous radiation originating in the field flattening filter (compensator) and the collimator of the betatron. (author)