The Computation of Two and Three Dimensional Dose Distributions in Cobalt 60 Teletherapy

Abstract

A theoretical description is presented of the dose distributions in rectangular beams of 60Co radiation in a waterequivalent medium. This theory, supported by experimental results, allows the determination of three-dimensional dose distributions produced by crossfiring techniques using either stationary (including wedged) beams or moving beams. This method was specially developed for use with a computer. It appears that, per radiation machine, relatively little preparatory work is involved. There are strong indications that this system is valid for any 60Co machine as well as for X-ray machines in the equivalent energy range.