A Study on the Effects of Wedge Filter in Peripheral Dose Distribution

The peripheral dose distributions of wedge fields of Co-60 Y-ray and 10MV x-ray were measured by the solid state detector controlled by means of semiautomatic water phantom system. The measurements were made on the principal plane parallel to the cross section of wedge filter (blade and ridge direction). For parallel motion of the detector to the beam axis the distance from the margin of radiation field at surface were 3, 5 and 10cm. For transverse motion the depth of measurement were dm, 5, 10 and 15cm. The followings were drawn from the measurement. 1. The peripheral dose of the blade side of wedges was generally higher than that of the ridge side at symmetric point about beam axis. 2. In the superficial region phenomena of dose build-up appeared. 3. For Co-60 Y-ray field, the peripheral dose did not monotonously decrease with the distance from the field margin but increase in some range, consequently showing a peak dose. 4. The peripheral dose did not only depend on radiation quality and field size, but also on wedge angle and wedge direction